Morocco has secured the top position in Africa’s industrialisation index for the first time. The North African nation scored 0.8415 points, narrowly surpassing South Africa, which recorded 0.8396 points.
This achievement, according to the African Development Bank (AfDB) 2025 Africa Industrialisation Index, marks a significant shift. South Africa had held the leading position since 2010. Morocco’s rise reflects sustained industrial upgrading efforts, export diversification strategies, and the effective execution of strategic industrial policies.
This development fits into Ghana’s broader economic narrative regarding industrial growth and regional competitiveness. Ghana aims to boost its industrial capacity and become a manufacturing hub in West Africa. Understanding the drivers behind Morocco’s success can offer valuable insights for Ghanaian policymakers and businesses. West Africa, as a region, lagged behind North and Southern Africa in industrialisation scores, highlighting the need for accelerated development in this sector.
The AfDB report highlighted that South Africa, despite its strong industrial base, experienced a gradual long-term decline in industrial competitiveness. Its score decreased from 0.8819 points in 2010 to 0.8396 points in 2024. The index assesses industrialisation by looking at industrial performance, direct drivers like investment and infrastructure, and indirect factors such as the business environment and the rule of law.
Looking ahead, policymakers across Africa will closely examine Morocco’s strategies to replicate its success. The continued slow and uneven pace of industrialisation across the continent suggests that more targeted interventions are necessary. Decision-makers and markets will watch for how individual countries adapt their industrial policies to improve their competitive standing. This shift could influence foreign direct investment flows and regional trade dynamics as nations strive for greater industrial self-sufficiency.
Egypt ranked third in Africa with a score of 0.7827, followed by Tunisia at 0.7760 points. Algeria placed sixth with 0.6661 points. This means four Arab countries are among the continent’s top six industrial economies. Mauritius ranked fifth, followed by Eswatini, Senegal, Namibia, and Ivory Coast to complete the top 10.
North Africa remains the continent's most industrialised region in 2024, with a score of 0.6891 points. Southern Africa followed with 0.5850 points. Central, West, and East Africa recorded lower scores. The continental average industrialisation score increased from 0.5134 in 2010 to 0.5445 in 2024, a 6 percent rise. Despite this progress, Africa still contributes less than 2 percent to global manufacturing output.