Morocco Climbs Global Startup Rankings, Solidifies Position as North African Innovation Hub
Rabat, The Gulf Observer: Morocco’s startup ecosystem has made significant strides on the global stage, climbing four positions to rank 88th globally in the 2025 StartupBlink Global Startup Ecosystem Index, with a score of 0.687. This marks the highest growth rate in Northern Africa at 23.1%, positioning Morocco just behind Egypt and Tunisia in the regional hierarchy.
The StartupBlink report, which evaluates 1,473 cities and 118 countries, reflects Morocco’s expanding reputation as a stable and cost-effective base for entrepreneurs targeting regional markets. The country now ranks third in Northern Africa and ninth across the African continent, outperforming Senegal but trailing South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria.
At the city level, Casablanca emerged as Morocco’s startup capital, surging 42 spots to rank 317th globally with a growth rate exceeding 40%—the highest in Northern Africa. Its ecosystem score is more than six times higher than Rabat, which also improved, moving up seven places to 811th globally. Other cities such as Marrakech and Tangier showed positive momentum, while Agadir experienced a decline, raising concerns over its future rankings.
A Strengthening Ecosystem
Morocco’s total startup funding hit $176.9 million in 2024, with the country ranking 71st globally in the Ecommerce & Retail sector. The ecosystem includes three startups backed by Y Combinator, and notable success stories such as DabaDoc, Moteur, WaystoCap, and Terraa—the latter securing a record-breaking $1.5 million pre-seed round in 2023.
One standout, Chari, a B2B e-commerce platform, achieved a $100 million valuation in 2022, marking a significant milestone in Moroccan tech history.
Government support continues to be a key pillar, with policies including targeted tax exemptions and initiatives like the Maroc PME program for SMEs. The MoroccoTech national brand, launched in 2022, and the Digital Morocco 2030 strategy, with a $24 million fund, aim to position the country as a leading digital hub in Africa.
Investment and Innovation Hubs
The report notes growing access to capital through funds such as UM6P Ventures and Maroc Numeric Fund, as well as Innov Invest Fund, established with support from the World Bank and European Union. In addition, Impact Lab in Casablanca has become a central hub for supporting social and environmental startups.
Events like GITEX Africa, the region’s largest tech gathering, are further catalyzing innovation by connecting Moroccan startups with global investors, developers, and academics. Meanwhile, a rising number of Moroccan freelancers working with international clients are helping to build a skilled, entrepreneurial talent pool.
Challenges Remain
Despite these gains, the report acknowledges ongoing barriers, including unequal access to education and healthcare, gender disparities, regulatory bottlenecks, and limited early-stage funding. Addressing these challenges will be essential for unlocking the full potential of Morocco’s entrepreneurial landscape.
With momentum building and strategic initiatives underway, Morocco is well-positioned to further its standing as a dynamic hub for startups and innovation across Africa and beyond.
