Morocco is set to make history as the host of Africa’s first battery gigafactory, backed by a landmark $5.6 billion investment from China.
- Morocco will host Africa’s first battery gigafactory following a $5.6 billion investment led by China’s Gotion High-Tech.
- The facility, located in Kenitra, aims to produce 20 gigawatt-hours annually by 2026, with plans to expand to 100 GWh.
- This project is expected to create significant employment, with 2,300 jobs initially and up to 10,000 across its phases.
- Gotion will target European automakers, domestic hubs, and renewable energy storage markets in Africa and the Middle East.
The project, led by Chinese company Gotion High-Tech, will place Morocco at the heart of the global clean energy race, transforming the country into a key supplier of batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.
Beyond its industrial scale, the initiative signals China’s deepening economic footprint in Africa and highlights Morocco’s growing role as a strategic bridge between the continent and Europe.
According to Khalid Qalam, Gotion’s Moroccan director, construction will begin soon, with earthworks already completed and production set to start in the third quarter of 2026.
Production will include batteries, cathodes, and anodes, with Europe as the main export market. Initial operations will create 2,300 jobs, while the full five-phase project will add 10,000 positions.
Gotion aims to serve European automakers and Morocco’s domestic hubs, where Renault and Stellantis already operate, while also targeting energy storage in Africa and the Middle East, regions well-suited for renewables with 300 days of sunshine a year.
Why Morocco is betting big on batteries
Located in Kenitra, northwest Morocco, the facility will be led by China’s Gotion High-Tech, one of the world’s leading battery producers.
Production is expected to begin in late 2026 with an initial capacity of 20 gigawatt-hours (GWh) annually, enough to power hundreds of thousands of electric vehicles. Over time, capacity could scale up to 100 GWh, cementing Morocco’s role as a major global supplier.
The first stage alone involves $1.3 billion in investment and is projected to create 17,000 jobs directly and indirectly.
For Morocco, this represents a chance to diversify beyond traditional industries like agriculture and textiles, moving firmly into the high-tech manufacturing space.
Unlike many assembly plants, this gigafactory will produce critical electrode materials such as cathodes and anodes.
This vertical integration reduces Morocco’s reliance on imports and strengthens regional supply chain security, giving the country a competitive edge as global demand for batteries surges.
Morocco’s auto industry posted record exports of MAD 157 billion ($15.7 billion) in 2024, a 6.3% rise, after surpassing China, Japan, and India as the EU’s top automotive exporter in 2023.
Crucially, about 85% of the output will be exported to the European Union, which is pushing toward its 2035 ban on new fossil fuel cars.
By providing batteries closer to Europe, Morocco helps reduce the bloc’s dependence on long Asian supply routes while securing its own relevance in the EV revolution.
The bigger picture: China’s strategic play in Africa
This is not an isolated deal. China has steadily expanded its industrial footprint across Africa, from railways and ports to energy infrastructure.
In Morocco alone, companies like BTR, CNGR, Hailiang, and Shinzoom are also investing in the battery sector, positioning the country as a North African hub for green technologies.
For China, the gigafactory strengthens its influence in a region that serves as both a gateway to Europe and a key partner in Africa’s development agenda.
It also highlights Beijing’s strategy of pairing infrastructure finance with industrial projects that shape the global clean energy supply chain.
What this means for Africa’s future
The Morocco-China partnership has significance far beyond national borders. By anchoring Africa’s first battery gigafactory, Morocco is setting a precedent for how the continent can move from being primarily a supplier of raw materials to a value-added manufacturer in the clean energy economy.
If replicated in other African countries with abundant mineral resources such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (cobalt), Zambia (copper), and Zimbabwe (lithium), the model could help the continent capture greater wealth from its natural resources instead of exporting them cheaply.
For Morocco, the project is both economic and geopolitical. By aligning with China and strengthening ties with the European Union, the country is positioning itself as a bridge between Africa, Asia, and Europe in the fast-growing green economy.
For Africa, it represents a tangible example of how strategic international partnerships can create jobs, transfer technology, and secure a stronger place in global industries of the future.
As the world accelerates toward cleaner energy, Morocco’s gigafactory may well become a blueprint for African nations determined to turn natural resource wealth into sustainable, long-term prosperity.
