Casablanca – Morocco continues to strengthen its position as one of the leading energy transition markets in North Africa and the Middle East, supported by sustained investments in renewable energy, infrastructure development, and long-term sustainability objectives. However, the country still faces significant challenges related to energy security, financing, grid modernization, and the broader global environment, according to the latest international assessments of energy sector performance.

The 2026 Energy Transition Index, published by the World Economic Forum in partnership with Accenture, ranked Morocco 72nd among 120 countries with a score of 54.5 out of 100. While the result places the Kingdom below the global average score of 57.3, it remains above the regional average and highlights Morocco’s continued efforts to diversify its energy mix and reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels.

The ranking also positioned Morocco sixth among countries in the Middle East and North Africa region, behind the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Tunisia, and Jordan. Within the Maghreb region, Morocco was among the highest-performing countries, reflecting years of investment in renewable energy projects and energy sector reforms.

The index evaluates both the current performance of national energy systems and the readiness of countries to adapt to future energy challenges. Morocco scored 58.4 points for the performance of its existing energy system and 48.6 points for future readiness, indicating that while progress has been achieved, further work is needed to strengthen the foundations required for long-term transformation.

The findings come at a time when Morocco is pursuing ambitious targets aimed at increasing the share of renewable energy in electricity generation and positioning itself as a regional hub for clean energy production. Over the past decade, the country has expanded solar and wind power projects, strengthened its regulatory framework, and promoted investments intended to improve sustainability and reduce carbon emissions.

Despite these advances, the report notes that structural challenges continue to affect many countries engaged in energy transition efforts, including Morocco. Energy security remains a key concern, particularly for economies that rely heavily on imported fuels. Modernizing electricity networks, improving grid efficiency, expanding storage capacity, and ensuring affordable energy supplies are among the priorities identified as essential for accelerating progress.

The global context adds another layer of complexity. According to the report, the worldwide energy transition is advancing unevenly, with only 24% of the countries included in the index managing to improve simultaneously in energy security, affordability, and environmental sustainability.

Global investment in the energy sector reached approximately $3.3 trillion in 2025, reflecting growing commitments to cleaner energy systems. Renewable energy and nuclear power together accounted for 42% of global electricity generation, while renewable energy capacity expanded by roughly 800 gigawatts during the year.

However, the report emphasizes that these achievements have been accompanied by increasing challenges. Investment remains concentrated in a relatively small number of countries, while many developing and emerging economies continue to face difficulties in attracting sufficient capital to finance large-scale energy projects.

Trade restrictions and geopolitical tensions have also emerged as significant factors affecting the pace of the transition. The report estimates that trade measures affected approximately $2.6 trillion in global commerce, while export controls were imposed on more than half of the critical minerals required for renewable energy technologies and battery production.

These developments have raised concerns about the resilience of global supply chains and the availability of essential materials needed for the energy transition. For countries seeking to expand renewable energy capacity, securing stable access to technology, equipment, and raw materials has become increasingly important.

The report further highlights a decline in several indicators related to transition readiness, including financing, regulation, innovation, and policy certainty. Financing was identified as one of the weakest areas globally, with approximately 75% of clean energy investment continuing to flow toward a limited group of advanced economies.

Meanwhile, countries expected to account for the majority of future growth in electricity demand often face financing costs that are two to three times higher than those available in developed markets. Such disparities can slow project implementation and delay the deployment of new technologies.

Innovation also remains a challenge. The report notes slower progress in areas such as carbon capture technologies, hydrogen development, and long-duration energy storage systems, all of which are considered important components of future low-carbon energy systems.

Another issue highlighted by the study is the persistence of greenhouse gas emissions despite the rapid deployment of renewable energy. Although clean energy sources continue to gain market share, energy-related carbon dioxide emissions remained broadly stable at around 38 gigatons in 2025. Total global greenhouse gas emissions reached a new record of approximately 60.6 gigatons, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing governments and industries worldwide.

For Morocco, the findings suggest that the country has established a solid foundation for future progress but must continue accelerating reforms and investments to maintain its competitiveness. Expanding transmission infrastructure, improving grid flexibility, strengthening energy security, and attracting additional private-sector investment are expected to remain key priorities in the coming years.

As global energy markets navigate economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and growing climate-related pressures, Morocco’s ability to transform its renewable energy potential into measurable economic and environmental outcomes will play an important role in determining its future standing in the international energy landscape. The latest ranking indicates that while the country has made meaningful progress, the next phase of its energy transition will depend on its capacity to address structural constraints while capitalizing on emerging opportunities in the rapidly evolving global energy sector.