Agadir – Morocco has reaffirmed its leadership in intellectual property protection, ranking first in Africa and the Arab world and 22nd globally in the latest International Intellectual Property (IP) Index released by the US Chamber of Commerce.
The index, published annually by the Chamber’s Global Innovation Policy Center, evaluates the intellectual property frameworks of 55 economies worldwide based on indicators including patent protection, copyright laws, trademark systems, enforcement mechanisms, and international treaty participation.
Morocco secured the 22nd position globally with a score of 59.19, maintaining its status as the highest-ranked country across Africa and the Arab region in terms of intellectual property protection and innovation.
The ranking places Morocco ahead of several African economies assessed in the index, including Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Algeria. The report also showed Morocco ranked second in the Middle East North Africa region after Israel with 69.11points.
This performance points to Morocco’s growing reputation as a regional hub for innovation and intellectual property protection. The country’s IP framework is considered among the most developed among middle-income economies evaluated in the index.
In this regard, the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC) shared a statement saying that “according to the American Chamber of Commerce, this designation is the result of Morocco’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its legal and institutional framework in the field of intellectual property.”
OMPIC noted that the report underscores several key accomplishments, notably Morocco’s joining of major international agreements, including the Singapore Treaty on the Law of Marks and the Geneva Act on Industrial Designs.
“The report also refers to the advanced level of patent protection, as well as mechanisms for international cooperation in the field of patent examination,” OMPIC added.
It further explained that OMPIC has implemented a patent certification system in partnership with the European Patent Office and has established Fast Track Patent Examination (PPH) programs with multiple international IP offices, allowing for faster processing of patent applications based on examination results from these partner offices.
“The international trade agreements concluded by Morocco have contributed to strengthening the national environment for intellectual and industrial property in line with international standards adopted in this field.”
OMPIC concluded the statement stating that the index emphasizes that Morocco has established a significant national intellectual property framework, allowing it to rank as the leading middle-income country in this assessment.
Additionally, the report says that this recognition reflects the country’s continued progress in industrial property, demonstrated by the steady increase in trademark registrations, patents, and industrial designs, showing the “ growing role of industrial property in supporting innovation and enhancing economic competitiveness.”