Morocco ranks as North Africa’s most attractive economy

Friday 11 - 09:00

By: Azzat Manal

Morocco ranks as North Africa’s most attractive economy

Morocco has emerged as the most attractive economy in North Africa, according to the 2026 Global Attractiveness Ranking published by The European House – Ambrosetti, a European consulting and strategic research centre.

The kingdom ranked 84th out of 146 countries assessed, placing it ahead of Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia and Mauritania in the regional standings. Algeria ranked 85th, followed by Egypt in 88th place, Tunisia in 105th and Mauritania in 131st.

The ranking evaluates countries according to four broad economic dimensions: openness, innovation, resource availability and efficiency. Together, these indicators are intended to measure how well economies can withstand shocks while maintaining sustainable growth over the medium and long term.

The United States topped the global ranking, followed by China and Singapore. The strong performance of these economies reflects their combination of market depth, innovation capacity, infrastructure, resources and institutional strength.

Among Arab countries, the United Arab Emirates was the highest-ranked, occupying seventh place worldwide. Qatar came 26th, while Saudi Arabia ranked 27th. Other Gulf economies, including Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman, also performed strongly.

The report comes against a backdrop of continued uncertainty in the global economy. Slower growth, disruptions to energy markets and pressure on international logistics have increased the importance of economic resilience. Geopolitical tensions have also affected major trade routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, while shipping activity through the Red Sea and Suez Canal remains below pre-crisis levels.

Against this backdrop, economic attractiveness is increasingly viewed as more than a country’s ability to attract foreign capital, companies and skilled workers. The report highlights the importance of strong economic and institutional foundations, resilient infrastructure, innovation capabilities and access to strategic resources.

Regulatory quality is another major factor influencing investment decisions. According to the study, governments need to simplify administrative procedures, improve coordination between public authorities and establish clear deadlines and responsibilities. A predictable regulatory environment can make it easier for companies to launch projects and expand their activities.

Digital infrastructure is also becoming increasingly important. Advanced telecommunications and digital networks are considered essential for business competitiveness and for attracting technology-related investment. The report therefore stresses the need to accelerate the development of digital infrastructure, particularly in productive areas and regions where connectivity gaps remain.

The ranking also highlights significant shifts among the world’s largest economies. Germany fell to fourth place after being overtaken by Singapore, although it continues to maintain a high overall level of attractiveness. However, the country was placed in a critical range in terms of economic dynamism.

France also slipped to 10th place, while Italy continued to improve its attractiveness, albeit at a slower pace than some of the world’s more dynamic economies.

Morocco’s position in the 2026 ranking underlines its growing economic profile within North Africa. Its relatively strong performance reflects the importance of openness, infrastructure, investment conditions and economic diversification in determining a country’s ability to remain competitive in an increasingly uncertain global environment.