Morocco now has the second-highest minimum wage in Africa when converted into US dollars, according to a study by the Nairametrics research team using exchange rates from 24 July.
The study puts the monthly non-agricultural minimum wage (SMIG) at 3,423 dirhams ($365.55). Only Mauritius ranks higher at $374.21, while South Africa comes third at $311.23.
The top 10 countries are Mauritius ($374.21), Morocco ($365.55), South Africa ($311.23), Gabon ($258.07), Equatorial Guinea ($222), Tunisia ($187.77), Algeria ($179.99), Cape Verde ($174.79), Libya ($156.27) and Botswana ($153.97).
The Moroccan figure is based on the minimum wage for non-agricultural workers. The monthly amount increased from 3,045 dirhams to 3,423 dirhams on 1 January 2026, a 12.41% rise.
Moroccan labour law has separate minimum wages for agricultural and non-agricultural workers. The study uses only the non-agricultural SMIG, meaning the ranking does not cover all workers.
The gap between Morocco and Mauritius is $8.66. South Africa’s minimum wage is $54.32 lower than Morocco’s.
Only Mauritius, Morocco and South Africa have monthly minimum wages above $300. Gabon ranks fourth at $258.07, followed by Equatorial Guinea at $222. The remaining five countries all have minimum wages below $200.
Exchange rates had a big impact on the rankings. Libya raised its minimum wage by 122.22% in local currency but still ranked ninth at $156.27 because its currency lost value. Gabon stayed fourth even though it has not increased its minimum wage since 2010, helped by the CFA franc’s peg to the euro.
The study says the figures compare minimum wages in US dollars only. They do not reflect purchasing power or the cost of living, such as housing, food, transport and other everyday expenses.
