A new African Development Bank (AfDB) industrialisation report has highlighted a major shift in Africa’s manufacturing landscape, placing Morocco at the forefront of the continent’s industrial transformation.
According to the 2025 edition of the African Industrialisation Index, released alongside the AfDB’s annual meetings in Brazzaville, Morocco has overtaken long-time leader South Africa to become Africa’s most advanced industrial economy. The report attributes this change not only to production growth, but to deeper structural reforms, export diversification, and long-term industrial planning.
Rather than focusing solely on output, the index evaluates competitiveness, technological upgrading, and integration into global value chains. It shows that Morocco’s industrial base has steadily evolved over the past decade, driven by sectors such as automotive manufacturing, aerospace, chemicals, electrical equipment, and agro-industry.
The AfDB notes that Morocco’s export-oriented model has been reinforced by industrial zones, modern port infrastructure, and strong partnerships with international firms. This has helped position the country as a key supplier to European markets, particularly in the automotive sector.
Aerospace has also become a standout growth area, with significant investment inflows and an expanding ecosystem of firms operating around Casablanca. The report highlights continued expansion in this sector, supported by global industry players and rising export earnings.
Across the continent, the index finds that 41 African countries improved their industrial performance between 2010 and 2024, although progress remains uneven. North and Southern Africa continue to dominate, with North Africa emerging as the leading hub for diversified industrial investment.
The report also underscores that Africa still accounts for a small share of global manufacturing output and exports, but notes gradual progress in industrial sophistication and investment attractiveness.
AfDB officials describe Morocco’s rise as part of a broader continental reconfiguration, where targeted industrial policy and integration into global supply chains are becoming decisive factors in competitiveness, rather than scale alone.
