Morocco has ranked as Africa’s leading country in intellectual property (IP) protection in 2026, according to the latest global index, underscoring both its relative strength and the continent’s broader structural gaps.
The North African economy placed 22nd worldwide with a score of 59.19 in the International Intellectual Property Index published by the Global Innovation Policy Center, maintaining its position for a fourth consecutive year.
The index evaluates 55 of the world’s largest economies representing around 90 percent of global output using 53 indicators spanning patent rights, copyright protection, trademark systems, enforcement and participation in international treaties.
Morocco’s performance reflects comparatively robust legal frameworks, particularly in patent protection and its adherence to global agreements such as the Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trademarks and the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement.
However, weaknesses persist. Enforcement remains a major challenge, with high levels of counterfeiting and online piracy continuing to undermine the system. The report also flagged the absence of targeted intellectual property incentives for areas such as orphan drug development.
Limited African representation
Only seven African countries were included in the 2026 ranking, highlighting the continent’s lag in building strong IP systems.
Ghana ranked second in Africa and 38th globally with a score of 39.25, followed by Kenya (42nd), South Africa (46th), Nigeria (47th), Egypt (48th) and Algeria (53rd).
The limited representation and relatively low scores point to systemic challenges, including weak enforcement mechanisms, limited institutional capacity and gaps in legal frameworks across many African economies.
Experts say these shortcomings constrain innovation, discourage investment in research and development, and limit the ability of local creators and businesses to protect and commercialise their ideas.
Global leaders dominate
At the top of the global ranking, advanced economies continued to dominate. The United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany and Sweden all recorded scores above 91, reflecting highly developed and consistently enforced IP systems.
These countries benefit from strong legal institutions, effective enforcement, and deep integration into international IP frameworks, making them global benchmarks for intellectual property protection.
Signs of global stagnation
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Despite the dominance of top performers, the 2026 report points to a broader slowdown in progress worldwide.
No country in the top 15 improved its score this year, while eight member states of the European Union recorded declines. Overall, only 20 of the 55 countries assessed showed any improvement.
The findings suggest that momentum in strengthening IP regimes may be weakening, even in advanced economies, amid shifting policy priorities and evolving technological challenges.
Policy implications
The report highlights the growing importance of intellectual property protection as a driver of innovation, competitiveness and economic growth.
For African countries, the gap in IP performance underscores the need for reforms to strengthen legal frameworks, improve enforcement, and align with international standards.
Analysts say that without stronger IP systems, many economies risk falling behind in the global knowledge economy, where innovation and intangible assets are increasingly central to growth.
While Morocco’s top ranking signals progress, it also serves as a reminder of the significant work still required across the continent to build more effective and inclusive intellectual property ecosystems.
