Morocco takes a major step in the electric vehicle sector with the announcement of the construction of its first gigafactory for batteries for electric cars. This initiative, led by the Chinese company Gotion High-Tech, represents a colossal investment of 12.8 billion dirhams ($1.3 billion).
A strategic investment for the future
The project was formalized by the Moroccan government and Gotion High-Tech in an agreement signed recently. The statement from the Prime Minister’s Office revealed that the plant will have an initial capacity of 20 gigawatt hours (GWh) for batteries. This capacity could be increased to 100 GWh, with a potential investment reaching $6.5 billion.
Morocco’s assets for the electric vehicle industry
Morocco presents several strategic advantages for Chinese companies and other players in the electric vehicle sector. Its geographic proximity to Europe, free trade agreements with the European Union and the United States, as well as its growing automotive sector, make it a preferred destination for investments in battery technologies.
Multiplication of Chinese investments
Last May, two other Chinese companies, Haileang and Xinzom, announced plans to establish factories near Tangier. These factories will respectively produce copper and anodes, essential components for electric car batteries.
A month earlier, Chinese company BTR New Material Group obtained preliminary approval to build a cathode factory near Tangier. CNG Advance Material also plans to build a cathode factory in Jorf Lasfar, 100 kilometers south of Casablanca.
A booming automotive sector
The automotive sector is a pillar of the Moroccan economy, with exports reaching $14 billion in 2023, an increase of 27% compared to the previous year.
Morocco is home to the factories of automakers such as Stellantis and Renault, which have a combined annual production capacity of 700,000 vehicles, supported by a well-established local supplier network.
