• Morocco places 6th in the 2026 CCPI covering 63 countries and the EU

• Strong scores in emissions, energy use, and climate policy drive its ranking

• Nigeria rises to 17th, while Egypt, Algeria, and South Africa remain low performers

Morocco ranks 6th and stands among the top performers in the Climate Change Performance Index, published each year to measure countries’ actual progress on climate mitigation. The 2026 edition covers 63 countries and the European Union, representing more than 90 % of global emissions, and is based on four criteria: greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, energy use, and climate policy.

The country has recently updated its nationally determined contribution and targets an unconditional emissions reduction of 21.6 % and a conditional target of 53 % by 2035 compared to a business-as-usual scenario. The roadmap also calls for phasing out coal by 2040, a move welcomed by the index’s experts.

Morocco earns high results in emissions, energy use, and climate policy. However, the actual share of renewables remains low in the CCPI assessment. Experts also highlight the continued subsidies for gas used by many households and the slow phase-out of fuel subsidies. They also regret delays in solar deployment.

Despite its strong performance, the country is advised to speed up tenders for renewable energy projects and to modernize the electricity grid. Experts also recommend a bioenergy strategy focused on waste, more efficient irrigation, and stronger urban waste management.

Other African countries appear in the ranking. Nigeria places 17th and advances thanks to good results in emissions and energy use, despite very weak performance in renewables. Egypt drops to 38th and is rated in the low-performance category. Algeria ranks 40th with very low results in renewables. South Africa follows in 41st place, held back by coal dependence despite a climate policy rated as average.

Morocco remains one of the few African countries well positioned in the index, while other major emitters on the continent remain in the lower tier, almost all facing gaps in large-scale renewable energy development and integration.

Abdoullah Diop