Morocco named Africa's top destination for safety, investment and infrastructure growth  

Morocco has taken the lead in Africa’s tourism and investment scene, beating out some of the continent’s biggest names, says a report by the travel platform Altezza Travel.

The report ranked Morocco at the top of a list of eight African countries shaping the continent’s future. 

The ranking was based on international reports, UN data, and a mix of tourism, investment, and economic indicators.

The report praised Morocco’s biggest win of last year of becoming the most visited country in Africa, overtaking Egypt. 

This achievement reflects not just the country’s booming tourism sector but also its reputation for safety. 

Morocco’s crime rate is said to be on par with Sweden, and the Global Peace Index puts it ahead of the United States, China, and India.

The Moroccan government has set a target to enter the list of the world’s top 15 most visited countries. 

The goal looks within reach as just last year, international airlines launched 120 new routes to Morocco, while global luxury brands such as Four Seasons hotels and Nobu restaurants, partly owned by Hollywood actor Robert De Niro, expanded into the market.

Big sporting events are also part of the strategy. Morocco will co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, investing an estimated $4.2 billion in new infrastructure to prepare. 

Over the past decade, Morocco has already poured $2.2 billion into upgrading its tourism facilities. 

Foreign investors are also taking notice, with about $3.5 billion in direct investment flowing into the country in the last five years across different sectors.

The World Bank describes Morocco’s economy as “resilient” and expects it to grow by 4.4% this year. 

Altezza’s list of top African performers also included Egypt, Botswana, Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania. 

Morocco stood out as the only North African country on the list, ahead of oil-rich neighbors like Algeria and Libya.

The report also noted that many African countries, long seen through the lens of conflict and instability, are now pushing forward with rapid growth in fields like green energy, digital economies, and even space exploration.