Morocco has been ranked seventh among African countries in the 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG), according to a report by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. The country's ranking marks one of the continent's greatest improvements over the past decade. Morocco scored 63.6 out of 100 in 2025, an increase of 6.4 points compared to its 2016 score. This improvement helped the country climb eight positions to enter Africa's top 10.
The report attributes Morocco's progress to advances in institutional governance, particularly judicial reform and administrative capacity. Judicial reforms have driven Morocco's progress, with the country ranking second in Africa in the impartiality of its judicial system. This improvement is linked to institutional reforms that followed the adoption of Morocco's 2011 Constitution. The transfer of responsibility for judicial appointments to the Supreme Council of the Judicial Power in 2017 and the separation of the public prosecution service from the Ministry of Justice have contributed to this progress.
Morocco also recorded a 28.2-point increase in the capacity of its national statistical system, reflecting improvements in its ability to collect and manage data. The country's performance in infrastructure and rural development further contributed to its overall standing. Morocco ranked first in Africa in the rural economy subcategory in 2025, according to the index. This achievement highlights the country's efforts to improve the living standards of its rural population.
The index recognizes Morocco's performance in economic opportunity and human development, as well as its environmental policies and industrial regulation. The country's economic gains are a result of its efforts to strengthen its institutions and improve its business environment. However, the report also points to differences in performance across governance indicators. Economic and infrastructure improvements have not always been matched by similar advances in political rights and civic participation.
This contrast reflects a broader challenge among some of Africa's better-performing countries: translating economic development and stronger administrative institutions into wider political participation and stronger civic freedoms. Morocco's overall improvement therefore reflects significant progress in several areas of governance. The remaining gaps underline the importance of further institutional reforms to ensure that the country's progress is sustainable.
The 2026 IIAG provides a decade-long assessment of governance across the continent, examining how African governments have performed in delivering public services, upholding rights, creating economic opportunities, and strengthening democratic institutions. The report assesses governance performance across African countries between 2016 and 2025. Morocco shares seventh place with Senegal, placing it among a small group of leading African countries that recorded sustained improvements over the assessment period.
Despite the progress made, Morocco still faces challenges in certain areas, including political rights and civic participation. The country's performance in these areas has not improved at the same rate as its economic and infrastructure development. Addressing these gaps will be crucial to ensuring that Morocco's progress is sustainable and that the country continues to improve its governance over time.
Key points
- Morocco climbed eight places in the 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance, ranking seventh in Africa.
- The country's progress is attributed to advances in institutional governance, particularly judicial reform and administrative capacity.
- Morocco still faces challenges in certain areas, including political rights and civic participation.
