Morocco Overtakes South Africa With 0.8415 AfDB Industrialisation Score
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · May 28
Morocco Overtakes South Africa With 0.8415 AfDB Industrialisation Score
9 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · May 28
Morocco ranked first in the African Development Bank’s 2025 industrialisation index at 0.8415, edging South Africa’s 0.8396 and ending its hold on the top spot since 2010.
AfDB attributed Morocco’s rise to sustained industrial upgrading, export diversification and strategic industrial policy, while South Africa’s score slipped from 0.8819 in 2010 to 0.8396 in 2024.
Egypt placed third at 0.7827 and Tunisia fourth at 0.7760, with Algeria sixth, leaving four Arab countries in Africa’s top six and helping keep North Africa the leading region at 0.6891.
Across the continent, 41 of 54 countries improved their scores from 2010 to 2024, but the average index rose only 6% to 0.5445 and Africa still produces less than 2% of global manufacturing output.
Intra-African trade was just 14.4% of total trade in 2022-24, and the bank said stronger AfCFTA implementation could lift incomes about 7% by 2035 and add up to $450 billion in value.
As Morocco races towards electric vehicle production, can South Africa’s auto sector survive its critical 2026 turning point?
Is Morocco’s industrial success a replicable blueprint for Africa or a unique strategy tied to its proximity to Europe?
How will the industrial power shift from South Africa to Morocco alter the continent's geopolitical landscape and trade alliances?
Morocco Surpasses South Africa in 2025 Africa Industrialisation Index: A New Era for African Industry
Overview
Morocco has become Africa’s new industrial leader by topping the 2025 Africa Industrialisation Index, reflecting its strong focus on industrial growth and diversification. Central to this achievement is Morocco’s robust automotive sector, which has made the country Africa’s leading car manufacturer with major production facilities like the Renault and Stellantis plants. This sector has become a primary export, showcasing Morocco’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and deep integration into global supply chains. These developments highlight Morocco’s commitment to building high-value industries and set a new benchmark for industrial progress across the continent.