Tunisia, Egypt, and South Africa Lead Africa in 2026 Global Innovation Index Rankings

Tunisia, Egypt, and South Africa have emerged as leading innovators in Africa according to the 2026 Global Innovation Index published by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

The 19th edition of the index, which assesses innovation performance worldwide, highlights these three countries for their strong results in science, technology, education, and innovation infrastructure.

Tunisia, in particular, stands out for its human capital and scientific research capabilities. The country ranks first globally for the number of graduates in science and engineering disciplines, reflecting a robust educational foundation in these critical fields.

Additionally, Tunisia holds the 12th position worldwide for the volume of scientific publications, demonstrating its active contribution to global scientific knowledge.

Beyond education and research output, Tunisia also performs well in attracting foreign investment dedicated to research and development in cutting-edge technologies, signaling a conducive environment for innovation-driven growth.

The Global Innovation Index, compiled annually since 2007, incorporates approximately 80 indicators. These include metrics such as expenditure on research and development, trade in high-technology goods, employment of skilled professionals, and licensing of intellectual property rights.

Egypt and South Africa also feature prominently in the rankings, reflecting their ongoing commitments to strengthening innovation ecosystems and infrastructure.

This ranking underscores the increasing importance of African countries in the global innovation landscape, driven by investments in education, research, and technology development.