Morocco Ranks First in Africa for Investment Freedom
In a remarkable achievement, Morocco has secured its highest investment freedom score since 1995, ranking first on the African continent and 17th globally, according to the latest Investment Freedom Index. These findings were highlighted in the recent edition of the index, which evaluated 226 countries, placing Morocco ahead of several major economies and significantly above the African average, which stands at 45 points.
The Kingdom's upward trajectory in investment attractiveness is evidenced by its impressive score of 80 out of 100, propelling it to the 17th position worldwide, as reported by The Global Economy, based on data from the American Heritage Foundation. This notable progress allows Morocco to outshine several significant economies and solidifies its status as the leading nation in Africa. Notably, Morocco surpasses Mauritius, which comes in second with a score of 70 points, by a margin of 10 points. Burkina Faso, Egypt, and Mali follow closely, each scoring 65 points. The average score recorded by the 51 African countries evaluated is approximately 45 points, indicating that Morocco's score is 35 points higher than the continental average.
Over the past year, Morocco has shown impressive growth, gaining 5 points, primarily due to advancements in its financial framework and the absence of major restrictions on foreign investor participation. However, the Kingdom continues to face certain challenges regarding overall economic freedom. On a global scale, Morocco shares its score of 80 with several countries, including Australia, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Paraguay, Poland, and the United States.
At the top of the global ranking, Luxembourg leads with an outstanding score of 95 points, while Bahrain, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Singapore are among those achieving 90 points. The index takes into account various factors that influence the investment environment, including bureaucratic efficiency, land ownership restrictions, risks of expropriation without fair compensation, as well as currency and capital movement controls.
In its assessment of Morocco for 2026, the Heritage Foundation indicates that both Moroccan and foreign investors generally receive fair treatment under the law. It also points to the openness of the Casablanca Stock Exchange to foreign capital and the ongoing development of Morocco's financial sector, which now presents numerous financing opportunities for investors.
As reported by fr.hespress.com.
