Morocco is one of the leading countries in North Africa according to the 2017 Global Innovation Index. Ranked 72nd among a total of 127 states, the Kingdom's economy is considered to be one of the most innovative ones in the MENA region. Morocco is one of the most innovative countries in the Middle East and North Africa region. According to the 2017 edition of the Global Innovation Index, the Kingdom is ranked 72nd in a list that includes 127 nations and 11th among the MENA countries. Published on Thursday 15th of June by Cornell University, an American university and INSEAD with the help of the World Intellectual Property Organization and other institutions, the report confirms through a number of sub-indices that Morocco has been performing well during the last 7 years when it comes to innovation. Indeed, the North African country collected a score of 32. 72 out of 100 compared to last year when it only had 32.3 points. The GII indicates that Morocco is one of the Lower-middle income economies next to 26 other countries such as India, Philippines and Ukraine. A leading innovative country in North Africa The Kingdom has been able to maintain a good position compared to the preceding year, according to the 2017 edition, it was classified 68th in the Innovation output sub-index scoring 24.8 points and beating the 2011 score (102nd). Morocco was ranked 79th in the Innovation Input Sub-Index thus being the most innovative country in Africa right after South Africa and Mauritius. Globally, Morocco was able to surpass other neighboring countries in the report's ranking such as Algeria (108th), and Tunisia (74th). The Global Innovation Index was topped by Switzerland (1st) followed by Sweden (2nd), the Netherlands (3rd), the USA (4th) and the UK (5th). Based on subjective and objective data collected by the World Bank, and the World Economic Forum, this yearly report ranks countries by their capacity to bring innovation to their economies. It is used by corporate and government officials to compare and determine the level of innovation put forward by every single country. According to the authors of the 2017 GII, its major objective is to «create new sources of innovation-driven growth…smart and digital agricultural innovation and better diffusion to developing countries».
