Morocco has surpassed South Africa as Africa’s top industrial economy, according to the African Development Bank’s 2025 Africa Industrialisation Index. The report credits Morocco’s rise to long-term industrial planning, export diversification, and aggressive manufacturing expansion aimed at linking Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. While South Africa remains one of the continent’s largest industrial powers, the AfDB said declining competitiveness has weakened its position in recent years. The index, which assessed 54 African countries between 2010 and 2024, found that 41 nations improved their industrialization scores, with Africa’s overall industrial performance rising by 6%. However, the report also highlighted Africa’s weak intra-continental trade, which accounts for just 14.4% of total commerce, limiting supply-chain integration and manufacturing growth.
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