Morocco is set to make history as the host of Africa’s first battery gigafactory — a $5.6 billion project spearheaded by China’s Gotion High-Tech. Located in Kenitra, this facility will not only supply batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage but will also redefine Africa’s role in the global energy transition. With initial production of 20 gigawatt-hours (GWh) by 2026 and an expansion goal of 100 GWh, Morocco is positioning itself as a manufacturing powerhouse at the nexus of Europe, Africa, and Asia.
This development is beyond just industrial construction. It signals Morocco’s strategic leap into high-tech manufacturing, China’s deepening presence in Africa, and Europe’s urgent search for diversified supply chains. Together, these dynamics underscore how Africa is moving from the periphery of the clean energy revolution to becoming a central player.
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The gigafactory is an industrial revolution for Morocco. It will create 2,300 jobs initially and up to 10,000 as it scales through five phases, offering high-skilled opportunities in battery chemistry, engineering, and advanced manufacturing. Unlike traditional assembly plants, the facility will vertically integrate production by manufacturing cathodes and anodes — critical components that secure supply chain independence and reduce reliance on imports.
For Morocco, this is also about diversification. The nation, long dependent on agriculture, phosphates, and textiles, is now embedding itself into the fast-growing EV and renewable energy markets. Morocco’s auto industry already leads African exports, with record sales of MAD 157 billion ($15.7 billion) in 2024. By linking its automotive base with battery manufacturing, the country ensures it remains vital to Europe’s clean mobility ambitions ahead of the EU’s 2035 ban on new fossil-fuel cars.
Globally, battery production has been dominated by Asia, with China leading the way alongside South Korea and Japan. Europe and North America are rapidly building capacity to reduce dependence on long Asian supply routes. Morocco’s entry, therefore, is not just symbolic — it provides Europe with a nearby, reliable supplier as it accelerates its EV transition.
The plant’s eventual 100 GWh capacity will put Morocco in direct conversation with global leaders like Tesla’s Gigafactory in Nevada and CATL’s mega-facilities in China. For Africa, which has long exported raw materials like cobalt, lithium, and copper, the move represents a departure from the extractive model. Instead of exporting ores for foreign value addition, Morocco is demonstrating that the continent can capture a larger slice of the green economy.
From Phosphates to High-Tech
Morocco’s industrial ambitions are not new. In the 20th century, the kingdom built its reputation as the world’s top phosphate exporter. In the early 2000s, it successfully attracted auto manufacturers such as Renault and Stellantis, turning Tangier and Kenitra into continental automotive hubs. Now, with the gigafactory, Morocco is leaping from mid-level assembly into frontier technology.
This trajectory mirrors historical shifts in other regions: Japan’s move from textiles to electronics in the 20th century, or South Korea’s transformation from steel to semiconductors. If Morocco sustains this momentum, it could become Africa’s equivalent of a success story in the clean energy sector.
China’s Strategic Footprint
For China, the project cements its dominance across the EV supply chain. Gotion High-Tech joins other Chinese firms — BTR, CNGR, Hailiang, and Shinzoom — already investing in Morocco’s battery ecosystem. The gigafactory is not only an industrial investment but also a geopolitical maneuver: strengthening Beijing’s ties with a country that sits at the gateway to Europe and Africa.
This aligns with China’s broader Belt and Road approach, pairing infrastructure with strategic industries. For Morocco, the partnership secures capital, technology, and market access. For Africa, it sets a precedent that international cooperation can deliver high-value projects beyond raw resource extraction.
Continental Implications: A Blueprint for Africa
Africa is rich in battery minerals — cobalt in the Democratic Republic of Congo, copper in Zambia, lithium in Zimbabwe, and graphite in Mozambique. Yet most of these resources leave the continent as raw exports. Morocco’s gigafactory shows a different path: anchoring industrial value locally, creating skilled jobs, and leveraging geography to integrate into global markets.
If replicated elsewhere, this model could transform Africa from a supplier of raw minerals into a producer of finished technologies. In doing so, it would increase the continent’s bargaining power, economic resilience, and relevance in the global energy transition.
Morocco at the Crossroads of a Green Future
Morocco’s $5.6 billion gigafactory is more than an investment in batteries — it is an investment in Africa’s future. By hosting the continent’s first gigafactory, Morocco is signaling that Africa can no longer be overlooked in the global clean energy supply chain. It is bridging continents, creating industries of the future, and offering a roadmap for resource-rich nations seeking to break free from dependency.
As the world races toward electrification, Morocco has seized a historic opportunity: to not just participate in the green revolution but to help shape it. And in doing so, it places Africa squarely at the centre of one of the most important industrial shifts of the 21st century.
