Okra is a vegetable crop commercially grown in most North African regions. Although there are many genetic resources for okra in the region, these have not received sufficient effort for genetic improvement. The considerable genetic diversity of okra accessions in North Africa enhances okra’s yield potential. Thus, it should be explored for better-producing genotypes with abiotic stress tolerance for various environments and more resilience to climate change. Combining traditional and molecular breeding approaches can further strengthen okra breeding programs. To increase vegetable producers’ interest in large-scale okra farming and for adoption by the local and international markets, it is crucial to increase the productivity of local okra landraces through breeding. To speed up the required time for releasing new crop cultivars, marker-assisted selection can be used in conjunction with conventional breeding methods.