Morocco will host Africa’s first battery gigafactory after securing a landmark $5.6 billion investment from China’s Gotion High-Tech, marking a pivotal moment in the continent’s clean energy transition.
Why it matters
The facility, located in Kenitra, positions Morocco as a key supplier of batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage — while strengthening China’s industrial footprint in Africa.
Details
- Initial production capacity: 20 gigawatt-hours (GWh) annually by 2026, scaling up to 100 GWh over time.
- Investment breakdown: $1.3 billion in the first phase, with total spend reaching $5.6 billion.
- Jobs: 2,300 in the early phase, expanding to 10,000 across five phases.
- Output: Batteries, cathodes, and anodes — exported mainly to European automakers and energy storage markets in Africa and the Middle East.
- Timeline: Construction has started, with production scheduled for Q3 2026.
The big picture
- Morocco has rapidly grown into a top EU auto exporter, surpassing China, Japan, and India in 2023. Auto exports hit $15.7B in 2024, a 6.3% increase.
- About 85% of Morocco’s battery output will be exported to Europe, aligning with the EU’s 2035 ban on fossil-fuel cars.
- The project reduces Europe’s reliance on long Asian supply chains, while boosting Morocco’s standing as a green tech hub.
Zoom out
- China is doubling down on Africa’s clean energy value chain, pairing infrastructure finance with industrial projects. In Morocco alone, firms like BTR, CNGR, Hailiang, and Shinzoom are also investing in the battery sector.
- For Beijing, Morocco is both a gateway to Europe and a strategic partner in Africa’s green industrialization.
What’s next:
- If replicated in resource-rich countries like the DRC (cobalt), Zambia (copper), and Zimbabwe (lithium), Africa could capture more value from its natural resources — shifting from raw exports to high-tech manufacturing.
- Morocco’s gigafactory could become a blueprint for African nations seeking to anchor themselves in the global clean energy economy.
Source: Business Insider Africa
