Mauritius is Africa's most innovative economy
According to a ranking published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Mauritius, Morocco, and South Africa are the most innovative economies in Africa in 2026.
The Global Innovation Index 2026 assesses the innovation potential of 139 economies, accounting for 98% of global GDP at purchasing power parity and 95.5% of the global population.
The index is based on 79 indicators, including research expenditure, information technology use, venture capital financing, employment in knowledge-intensive industries, patent activity, high-tech manufacturing and exports, and the use of low-carbon energy sources.
Mauritius, ranked 50th globally, remains Africa's most innovative economy with an overall score of 34.1. This Indian Ocean island nation moved up three places from its 2025 ranking, entering the top 50 most innovative countries in the world for the first time.
Morocco, ranked 54th globally, became the second country in Africa, moving up three places from its 2025 ranking. This growth was driven by a combination of factors including industrial modernization and the increased use of intangible assets in business.
South Africa ranked third on the continent and 63rd globally, followed by Tunisia at 71st, Botswana at 82nd, Egypt at 83rd, Senegal at 90th, Rwanda at 96th, and Kenya at 97th. Ghana, ranked 101st globally, rounded out the top ten countries in Africa.
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