Morocco Ranks First in North Africa in 2026 Innovators’ Business Environment Index

^{Photo by Kadir Avsar via Pexels}

A Solid Framework Still Awaiting Full Impact

Morocco has strengthened its position on the global innovation map after ranking 80th worldwide out of 125 countries in the 2026 Innovators’ Business Environment Index, with a score of 43.258 points, according to a report published by the research platform StartupBlink.

Beyond its global ranking, the Kingdom achieved a notable distinction by placing first in North Africa for the quality of its business environment, confirming Morocco as the most attractive destination for innovators and investors in its immediate regional landscape.

Strong Foundations, Untapped Potential

The report highlights that Morocco’s position in the 2026 business environment index is stronger than its ranking in the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Index, suggesting an important structural insight. International evaluators consider Morocco’s underlying business environment, including legislation, infrastructure, institutions, and administrative procedures, to be more advanced than the country’s current startup output and funding volumes.

This gap points to a significant untapped potential. While the number of startups and the scale of investment have not yet fully reflected the strength of the ecosystem, the foundations are already in place to support accelerated growth in innovation and entrepreneurship.

According to the report, Morocco’s regulatory framework and infrastructure create favorable conditions for future expansion, indicating that the country could climb further in global innovation rankings if these structural advantages are translated into concrete results.

By topping North Africa in this index, Morocco reinforces its image as a regional hub for innovation, with a business environment capable of attracting international capital, fostering local talent, and supporting the next generation of startups as part of a broader economic transformation strategy.

^{Source: Lakome2}