Rabat : The Institut Choiseul for International Politics and Geo-economics has named eight Moroccans in its 2017 ranking of African economic “leaders of tomorrow.”

This list, published yearly by the Paris-based institute, identifies and ranks successful entrepreneurs and business leaders aged 40 and under, who it says to play a significant role in pursuing Africa’s international ambitions, Morocco World News reported.

With the help of many observers across the continent, the liberal think-tank ranks the selected profiles based on their “image and reputation, path and skills, power and function, influence and networks, potential and leadership.”

The high presence of Moroccan managers and entrepreneurs in the institute’s latest ranking makes the kingdom the second-most represented country, behind Nigeria, and ahead of Kenya, South Africa, and Cameroon.

Badr Alioua, Saad Sefrioui, and Marouane Ameziane were also listed in last year’s ranking. “[The 100 leaders listed] are the ones who make things happen and whose enthusiasm and dynamism pull their entire continent on the way to success,” said Pascal Lorot, the president of Choiseul Institut, in a press release.

—SM/IINA