Morocco has overtaken South Africa as the continent’s leading industrial economy, driven by sustained industrial upgrading, export diversification, and strong industrial policy.
Ousmane Fall, African Development Bank Group Director for Industrial and Trade Development, said Monday, during the presentation of the Bank’s Africa Industrialization Index (AII) alongside the inaugural Africa Industrial Investment Barometer (AfIIB) report, developed by WITBA Invest SA in partnership with Trendeo.
The two reports was launched on the sidelines of the African Development Bank Group’s 2026 Annual Meetings in Brazzaville.
Ousmane said that South Africa remains a continental powerhouse, but its competitiveness has declined steadily.
” North and Southern Africa dominate output and export sophistication, while East, West, and Central Africa lag,”he said.
“This report is a roadmap as much as a diagnosis. It shows that 41 of our 54 countries are now moving in the right direction, but it also reminds us that industrialization at scale demands resilient infrastructure, value addition close to source, and finance mobilized on African terms. That is precisely what the Four Cardinal Points are designed to deliver,” he said.
