Casablanca Finance City Ranks Among the World's Top 40 Financial Hubs
As reported by agenceecofin.com.
In a remarkable achievement, Casablanca Finance City (CFC) has secured a position in the esteemed Top 40 list of the most competitive financial centers worldwide, as outlined in the latest Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI) published on September 16, 2026, by the London-based think tank Z/Yen Group in collaboration with the China Development Institute. With this ranking, CFC now stands at number 38, illustrating its significant leap of 11 places since the last index released in March 2026. This index evaluates 117 international financial centers based on their competitiveness and appeal to investors, finance professionals, and companies globally.
CFC has emerged as a pivotal financial hub in Africa, now ranking third in the Africa and Middle East region, following the financial powerhouses of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Since its inception in 2010, Casablanca Finance City has attracted over 280 prominent international companies, including top banks like Citigroup, JPMorgan, and Standard Chartered, as well as renowned consulting firms such as McKinsey and Deloitte, alongside multinational corporations like Microsoft Africa and Huawei Technologies.
Capitalizing on its strategic positioning at the crossroads of Europe and Africa, CFC offers an enticing legal and fiscal framework. Key benefits include a complete exemption from foreign exchange controls for currency operations and a five-year corporate tax exemption, followed by a reduced tax rate of 20%, significantly lower than the standard rate of up to 35% applicable in the rest of Morocco. This favorable environment is instrumental in attracting foreign investment and bolstering economic growth in the region.
In the African context, the Mauritius International Financial Centre holds the second position, ranked 55th globally, while the Kigali International Financial Centre in Rwanda is third at 80th globally. The Cape Town financial center follows closely in fourth place in Africa, rising to 93rd in the world, while Johannesburg, Nairobi, and Lagos rank 95th, 105th, and 113th, respectively. Expert insights from global financial professionals suggest that both Casablanca and Kigali are set to enhance their prominence in the coming years, highlighting their potential for growth and development.
The GFCI ratings are determined through a combination of quantitative competitiveness indicators and qualitative surveys of active participants within global financial markets. This methodology encompasses 147 quantitative indicators spread across five categories, including business environment, human capital, infrastructure, financial sector development, and reputation, drawing on data from various multilateral institutions such as the World Bank and the OECD.
Globally, New York City retains its top position in the financial center rankings, followed by London, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Shanghai, underscoring the competitive nature of the financial landscape on an international scale.
