Morocco climbs to top 10 African startup ecosystems

Morocco has successfully secured a position within the top 10 African startup ecosystems,according to the comprehensive Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025 released by American consulting firm StartupBlink. This achievement demonstrates meaningful progress for the North African nation while simultaneously revealing persistent barriers that continue to constrain further growth and development.

The detailed ranking analysis shows impressive advancement for Morocco,with the country recording the highest growth rate exceeding 23% throughout Northern Africa,enabling it to climb four positions to reach 88th place globally. This substantial improvement was measured using 33 carefully selected key indicators that evaluate various aspects of startup ecosystem health and vitality.

Within the African continental context,South Africa maintains its leadership position at 52nd place worldwide,retaining its status as the African country with the most developed and sophisticated startup ecosystem. Kenya follows closely in second place at 58th globally,having gained five positions from the previous year’s ranking. The remaining African top 10 includes Egypt (65th),Nigeria (66th),Cape Verde (75th),Ghana (81st),Tunisia (82nd),Namibia (85th),Morocco (88th),and Senegal (92nd),with Uganda (94th),Rwanda (96th),and Somalia (100th) completing the continental representation.

Morocco’s startup ecosystem continues expanding significantly,with major cities like Casablanca and Rabat making remarkable strides in global rankings. Casablanca leads Morocco’s technology scene by jumping an impressive 42 positions to reach 317th place worldwide,achieving a growth rate exceeding 40%,which represents the highest performance in North Africa. Meanwhile,the capital city Rabat also demonstrated substantial improvement,climbing seven positions to reach 811th place globally.

Several interconnected factors contribute to Morocco’s climbing startup rankings. The comprehensive report identified the country’s increasingly tech-savvy youth population,rapidly growing digital connectivity infrastructure,and expanding availability of investment funds as fundamental advantages driving this growth. StartupBlink specifically highlighted Morocco’s stable political environment and accessible business climate for entrepreneurs as foundational elements that have helped create sustained momentum in the country’s startup ecosystem,particularly concentrated in major urban centers where resources and talent naturally converge.