Morocco has made significant progress in the Global Innovation Index, ranking 54th out of 139 countries in the 2026 report by the World Intellectual Property Organization. This represents an improvement of three places from 2025 and 23 places from 2021, with a score of 32.8 points. The country's advancement reflects its growing innovation capabilities.
In the ranking of lower-middle-income economies, Morocco secured fourth place. Among Arab countries, it ranked fourth after the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, which held the 25th, 42nd, and 47th positions, respectively. The Global Innovation Index assesses 139 economies based on around 80 indicators, including research and development spending, venture capital deals, and high-tech exports.
The Moroccan Office for Industrial and Commercial Property highlighted that Morocco excelled in intangible assets, ranking 11th globally. This improvement of six places from the previous edition is largely attributed to the country's high ranking in industrial design filings. Morocco was ranked fifth globally in terms of industrial design filings relative to its GDP.
Additionally, Morocco ranked 16th globally in trademark filings relative to its GDP, improving by six places. The country also secured the 58th position in patent filings relative to its GDP, marking a four-place improvement. These indicators demonstrate Morocco's progress in innovation and intellectual property.
The top three economies in innovation, according to the report, are Switzerland, Sweden, and the United States. Despite global economic and geopolitical disruptions, the top 25 innovative economies remained stable. The Global Innovation Index provides a comprehensive evaluation of innovation performance worldwide.
The Moroccan government has been actively promoting innovation and digitalization. The Ministry of Digital Transition and Public Administration Reform recently announced the "Morocco for Artificial Intelligence 2030" roadmap. This plan aims to build a national capacity for producing, controlling, and developing artificial intelligence.
The "Morocco for Artificial Intelligence 2030" strategy focuses on developing human capital, supporting research and development, and promoting innovation. The plan is expected to drive Morocco's digital transformation and enhance its innovation ecosystem. The country's progress in innovation and technology is crucial for its economic growth and development.
Key points
- Morocco ranks 54th globally in the 2026 Global Innovation Index.
- Morocco excels in intangible assets, ranking 11th globally.
- The country aims to develop its artificial intelligence capabilities through the "Morocco for Artificial Intelligence 2030" roadmap.
