Morocco's startup ecosystem grows 30.7% despite losing North Africa lead to Tunisia

Morocco’s startup ecosystem recorded strong growth in 2026, with its overall ecosystem score rising by 30.7% year over year, nearly double the North African regional average, according to a new global report.

The 2026 Global Startup Ecosystem Index, published by research center StartupBlink, found that Morocco’s startup ecosystem expanded by 30.7% compared with the previous year. Despite the growth, the country dropped two places to 90th globally and lost its position as North Africa’s top-ranked startup ecosystem to Tunisia, reflecting intensifying regional competition.

The report estimated Morocco’s startup ecosystem value, based on startup valuations and exit transactions, at approximately $1.1 billion.

Morocco ranked third in North Africa for the second consecutive year, behind Egypt, which placed 65th globally, and Tunisia, which climbed to 84th.

Innovation expands beyond Casablanca

The report highlighted a broader geographic distribution of innovation hubs across Morocco.

Casablanca maintained its position as the country’s leading startup hub, ranking 318th globally after posting annual growth of 23.1%.

Rabat recorded one of the strongest improvements, climbing 39 places to rank 772nd worldwide.

Marrakech emerged as the standout performer, entering the global top 1,000 startup cities for the first time. The city nearly doubled its ecosystem score and reached 871st place.

Meanwhile, Agadir dropped 158 positions in the rankings, while Tangier remained relatively low despite recording annual growth of 29.1%.

E-commerce remains Morocco’s strongest sector

According to the report, Morocco retained its leading position in North Africa for the strength and influence of its startup ecosystem stakeholders, including startups, investors, institutions and large corporations.

The country also ranked third in the Middle East and North Africa for corporate support of innovation, with the Akwa Group identified as one of the leading corporate partners supporting startups.

E-commerce and retail continued to lead Morocco’s startup ecosystem, ranking 62nd globally and second in North Africa.

Strong business environment, weaker outcomes

Despite the ecosystem’s rapid expansion, StartupBlink pointed to a persistent gap between Morocco’s business environment and its innovation output.

Morocco ranked 80th out of 125 countries in the report’s Business Environment for Innovation Index, indicating favorable institutional conditions for entrepreneurs. However, the country ranked lower overall, suggesting those conditions have yet to fully translate into competitive startup performance and innovation outcomes.

The report said a supportive business climate alone is insufficient, emphasizing the need to convert favorable conditions into tangible innovation, stronger startup performance and increased international investment.

Public initiatives drive ecosystem development

StartupBlink attributed Morocco’s progress to a growing network of public and private institutions supporting entrepreneurship, including the Digital Development Agency, Technopark, Maroc Numeric Fund Ventures, Tamwilcom, and Germany’s development agency GIZ.

The report also highlighted several initiatives that have strengthened the ecosystem in recent years, including the launch of the Innov Invest Fund in 2017, Marrakech’s hosting of GITEX Africa since 2023, and the government’s Digital Morocco 2030 strategy, which aims to support thousands of startups.

Additional momentum has come from a 2025 venture-building program backed by 500 Global and Flat6Labs, reinforcing Morocco’s efforts to accelerate innovation and strengthen its position as a regional technology hub.

The report concluded that while Morocco’s business environment remains stronger than its overall startup performance, the country’s next challenge will be translating its favorable ecosystem into greater innovation output and globally competitive startups.