Morocco ranked third among Africa’s textile and apparel exporters in 2025, behind South Africa and Egypt, according to a ranking published by African Exponent in January 2026.
Note: The ranking is an editorial assessment based on export scale, market reach, industrial capacity and trade integration; African Exponent does not publish export values for each country, and Kohan Textile Journal has not independently verified the methodology. Morocco’s textile and leather exports totalled MAD 43.8 billion in 2025 (provisional), down 4.5% on 2024, according to Office des Changes.
African Exponent puts Morocco third on the continent, after South Africa and Egypt and ahead of Tunisia. The placing reflects the country’s proximity to Europe, its ports and its close ties with fast-fashion buyers. It is not a measure of growth, however: the value of Morocco’s textile and leather exports fell 4.5% in 2025, to MAD 43.8 billion.
Africa’s Top 10 Textile and Apparel Exporters (2025 Ranking)
| Rank | Country |
|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa |
| 2 | Egypt |
| 3 | Morocco |
| 4 | Tunisia |
| 5 | Ethiopia |
| 6 | Kenya |
| 7 | Mauritius |
| 8 | Ghana |
| 9 | Madagascar |
| 10 | Tanzania |
Drivers Behind Morocco’s Ranking
The ranking follows a continent-wide assessment of export scale, market reach, industrial capacity, and trade integration. South Africa led the continent, followed by Egypt, with Morocco ahead of Tunisia and the rest of the top ten.
African Exponent credits Morocco’s placing to its port infrastructure, modern manufacturing facilities and free trade agreements with Europe. These advantages have made the country a preferred sourcing base for fast fashion brands seeking short lead times and flexible order volumes. Much of this activity is concentrated in the north of the country, where Tangier is emerging as a strategic production hub for brands seeking faster access to European markets.
Speed, Quality, and Market Access
Morocco’s textile exporters compete by combining speed, quality, and scalability, even though export value dipped in 2025. Local factories supply a wide range of products for European brands, spanning fast fashion to premium apparel. This balance of responsiveness and quality has positioned Morocco among Africa’s most competitive exporters. For a broader view of the sector, explore the Morocco textile industry landscape. Foreign manufacturers are taking notice: Hop Lun’s recent acquisition of three lingerie factories in Morocco illustrates how international players are betting on the country’s export infrastructure.
Strategic Investments and Sustainability
Morocco is often described as a bridge between African manufacturing and European demand. Government investment in logistics, industrial zones and sustainability initiatives is designed to support exporters. Water-efficient production and renewable energy could also strengthen Morocco’s appeal to international buyers looking for more sustainable supply chains.
Outlook
Textiles and apparel remain a cornerstone of Morocco’s economy, supporting employment, foreign exchange earnings, and industrial development. As global brands diversify sourcing beyond Asia, the sector has clear opportunities, although the 2025 decline in export value shows that proximity to Europe alone will not be enough to capture them.
For deeper analysis of Morocco’s export markets, EU market access and trade logistics, see Kohan Textile Journal’s Morocco Textile Trade Hub.
