African nations pride themselves on several innovative achievements that have improved economic and social growth at scale. Innovation has proved to be the single-most economic driver, uplifting key sectors such as agriculture, health, education and research, finance, and administrations. Fintech takes the lead on the continent as the most adopted technology by hundreds of millions. What are Africa’s most innovative countries?
Technology and innovation have shaped culture, governance, and the economy in the entire world, and Africa is no exception. The Global Innovation Index (GII) tracks and ranks the most innovative countries in the world from among more than 130 countries annually. In 2024, Mauritius’ economy is ranked as the most innovative in Africa and 55th globally.
Mauritius also ranks highest in market sophistication at positions 24th and the lowest in knowledge and technology output (91st). Mauritius ranks 87th and 69th in infrastructure, human capital, research, and business sophistication, respectively.
In terms of science and innovation investment, Muritius pulled the highest score in international patent filings at 85.7% between 2022 and 2023. However, there has been an improvement as well over the decade (2013-2023) at 20.6%. Mauritian scientific publications decreased by -30% between 2022 and 2023. The scientific publications increased by 4.5% over the decade (2013-2023).
According to the data by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), at least 33 per 100 inhabitants had access to 5G network connectivity in 2022. This is an increase of 633.3% between 2021 and 2022.
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The Moroccan economy is the second most innovative in Africa, 66th out of the 133 countries featured in the GII 2024, and 9th in Northern Africa and Western Asia. Morocco ranks 6th among the 38 lower-middle-income group economies. However, the nation’s innovative rankings have improved, moving up from 77th to 66th in 2024.
Morocco’s technology adoption in robotics has improved by 24.2% between 2012 and 2022. The country’s internet connectivity (fixed broadband) also improved by 5.2% between 2021 and 2022 and 12% between 2012 and 2022. Between 2022 and 2023, Moroccan international patent filings increased by 20.5%. However, there was a decrease of 1.4% between 2013 and 2023.
South Africa is the third-most innovative country in Africa and second in sub-Saharan Africa. Out of the GII featured economies in 2024, South Africa is ranked 69th. It ranks 18th among the 34 upper-middle-income group economies. However, South Africa’s rankings have dropped from 59th in 2023 to 69th in 2023, the lowest in four years.
In 2024, South Africa ranks 75th in innovation input, slightly lower than 2023. Its innovation output also dropped in this year’s GII ranking to 61st compared to 2023. South Africa’s international patent filings also dropped by 9.8% between 2022 and 2023 and 5.8% in the last decade.
Adoption of electric vehicles improved most, by 57.7% between 2022 and 2023 and by 58.9% between 2013 and 2023. At least 0.04 per 100 inhabitants in 2023 owned an electric vehicle. Robot adoptions also improved 4.6% and 8.8% in 2022 and between 2012 and 2022, respectively.
At least 23.7 per 100 inhabitants had access to 5G network connectivity in 2022. There was an increase of 42.9% between 2021 and 2022. A staggering 71.7 per 100 inhabitants used safe sanitation in 2022.
Top 10 Most Innovative African Countries in 2024
Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mali, Niger, and Angola are the least innovative countries in Africa and the world. GII ranks Burkina Faso 23rd in Africa and 129th globally. Ethiopia and Mali are ranked 24th, 25th, and 130th, respectively, in Africa and globally. Niger and Angola are ranked 26th and 27th in Africa and 132nd and 133rd globally, respectively. Angola stands as the least developed country both in Africa and in the world.
Source: Global Innovation Index (GII)
