Morocco Tops Africa's Industrialisation Index for First Time
Morocco Leads Africa's Industrialisation
Morocco has ranked first in Africa's industrialisation index for the first time, overtaking South Africa, which had held the top position since 2010, according to a new report by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The Event Details
The bank's 2025 Africa Industrialisation Index ranked Morocco at 0.8415 points, narrowly ahead of South Africa's 0.8396 points, reflecting what the AfDB described as sustained industrial upgrading, export diversification and the effective implementation of strategic industrial policies.
The Data Analysis
South Africa remains one of the continent's leading industrial economies, the report said, but has experienced a gradual long-term decline in industrial competitiveness. Its score fell from 0.8819 points in 2010 to 0.8396 points in 2024.
- Morocco: 0.8415 points
- South Africa: 0.8396 points
- Egypt: 0.7827 points
- Tunisia: 0.7760 points
The Impact Analysis
The index measures industrialisation across three main dimensions: industrial performance; direct drivers such as investment, infrastructure, education and access to finance; and indirect factors, including the business environment, the rule of law, public debt and inflation.
The Prediction
The report linked weak industrial growth in Africa to fragmented markets and limited regional integration. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could become a major driver of regional industrialisation if the continent shifts from 'integration for trade' to 'integration for production' by linking infrastructure, industrial policy, investment and regional value chains.