Casablanca – Morocco witnessed sustained growth in entrepreneurial activity and industrial property filings during 2025, reflecting continued economic dynamism and strengthening innovation capacity. Official data published by the Office marocain de la propriété industrielle et commerciale (OMPIC) shows notable increases in company creation, trademark registrations, patents, and industrial designs over the year.

Business creation rises by 14.6%

According to the official figures, a total of 109,644 new businesses were registered in the commercial registry in 2025. This represents an annual increase of 14.6% compared with 2024, confirming the upward trajectory of entrepreneurial activity across the Kingdom.

The majority of these new entities were legal persons (companies), which exceeded 78,000 newly registered businesses, marking a growth rate of 15.9% year-on-year. Individual businesses, or sole proprietorships, accounted for 31,029 new registrations, contributing significantly to the expansion of small-scale and self-employed activities.

Among legal forms, the single-member limited liability company remained the most widely adopted structure, representing 64.7% of newly created companies. The standard limited liability company followed with 34.3%. These structures continue to be favored due to their flexibility and limited liability protections.

In addition to company registrations, OMPIC issued 138,388 negative certificates during 2025, reflecting a 9% increase compared with the previous year. Since negative certificates confirm the availability of company names prior to incorporation, their growth is considered an early indicator of expanding investment intentions.

Regional concentration in major economic hubs

Business creation activity remained concentrated in Morocco’s leading economic regions. For legal entities, Casablanca-Settat ranked first, accounting for 38.8% of newly registered companies. Rabat-Salé-Kenitra followed with 13.9%, while Marrakech-Safi represented 12.6% and Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima 11%.

Regarding sole proprietorships, Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima led with 21.5%, followed by the Oriental region at 11.7% and Casablanca-Settat at 11.1%. Rabat-Salé-Kenitra accounted for 9.7%, while Fez-Meknes and Souss-Massa each represented 8.7%. Marrakech-Safi and Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra also contributed to overall growth.

This distribution reflects both the concentration of economic infrastructure in major urban centers and the gradual diversification of entrepreneurial activity across different regions.

Sectoral breakdown highlights commerce and construction

From a sectoral perspective, trade represented the largest share of newly created businesses in 2025, accounting for 35.7% of total registrations. Construction, public works, and real estate activities followed with 19.6%, reflecting continued investment in infrastructure and urban development.

Services accounted for 17.6% of new businesses, underlining the growing weight of service-based economic activity. Transport represented 7.8%, industry 7%, and hotels and restaurants 5.7%, indicating ongoing recovery and expansion in tourism-related sectors.

Information and communication technologies represented 2.9% of new registrations, while financial services accounted for 1.9% and agriculture and fisheries for 1.8%. Although these shares remain smaller, they point to gradual diversification in high-value and specialized sectors.

Trademark activity continues upward trend

Trademark registrations also showed sustained growth. In 2025, 32,091 trademark applications were filed, marking a 1.6% increase compared with 2024 and a 15.5% rise compared with 2023.

Applications of Moroccan origin represented 68% of all new filings, indicating the strengthening of national brands and domestic business confidence.

The chemical industry led trademark filings with 21% of total deposits, particularly in hygiene and cleaning products. Advertising and business management services followed at 17%, while pharmaceutical products accounted for 15%. These figures highlight the growing prominence of industrial and knowledge-intensive sectors within the national economy.

Patent filings and university-driven innovation

Patent activity also recorded moderate growth. A total of 2,983 patent applications were filed in 2025, representing a 2% increase compared with the previous year.

Patent applications originating from Moroccan applicants rose sharply by 34%, signaling strengthening domestic research and development capabilities. Universities played a central role, accounting for 64% of national patent filings, demonstrating closer alignment between academic research and technological innovation.

Pharmaceutical products ranked first among technological fields, representing 23% of patent applications. Biotechnology followed with 11%, and fine organic chemistry accounted for 9%. These sectors are considered strategic for industrial modernization and high-value production.

Industrial designs and intangible assets

Industrial design filings reached 6,194 deposits in 2025. Packaging designs dominated this category, representing 50% of total filings. Moroccan applicants accounted for 82% of industrial design deposits, highlighting strong domestic engagement in product development and brand differentiation.

Internationally, Morocco improved its standing in innovation rankings. According to data referenced by OMPIC, the country advanced nine positions in the Global Innovation Index published by the World Intellectual Property Organization, ranking 57th among 139 economies. Morocco also ranked 17th globally in intangible assets and maintained its leading position in Africa and the Arab region in international intellectual property indicators for the third consecutive year.

Sustained momentum in entrepreneurship and innovation

Overall, the 2025 figures reflect continued expansion in Morocco’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The parallel growth in business registrations, trademark filings, patent applications, and industrial designs suggests a reinforcing cycle between enterprise creation and innovation.

The strong participation of domestic applicants, the active role of universities, and the concentration of activity in strategic industrial sectors point to a gradual shift toward knowledge-based economic development. While activity remains concentrated in major economic hubs, regional contributions indicate broader engagement across the country.

These developments collectively underscore Morocco’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its business environment, promote industrial innovation, and enhance its competitiveness in regional and global markets.