Morocco Lands $5.6B Chinese Windfall to Pioneer Africa's Battery Powerhouse

Morocco is charging ahead in the global green energy race, clinching a massive $5.6 billion investment from China to construct the continent's inaugural battery gigafactory, a move that could redefine Africa's role in the electric vehicle supply chain.

Spearheaded by Chinese powerhouse Gotion High-Tech, the project kicks off with an initial $1.3 billion outlay for phase one, targeting the Atlantic free zone in Kenitra. This state-of-the-art facility will churn out lithium-ion batteries at a starting capacity of 20 gigawatt-hours (GWh) per year, with ambitions to ramp up to a staggering 100 GWh down the line. Beyond batteries, it will produce essential electrode components like cathodes and anodes, fortifying a self-reliant ecosystem and slashing reliance on imports. Production is slated to fire up as early as the third quarter of 2026, with about 85% of output earmarked for export to the European Union, capitalizing on Morocco's prime geographic perch as a bridge between Africa and Europe.

The deal draws in additional Chinese heavyweights—BTR, CNGR, Hailiang, and Shinzoom—further solidifying Morocco's appeal as a magnet for battery manufacturing. On the economic front, the initiative promises to create roughly 17,000 direct and indirect jobs in its opening phase, injecting vitality into a nation long anchored by agriculture and textiles. By nurturing high-tech expertise and stemming the brain drain, it aligns with broader efforts to diversify the economy and lure talent back home, while bolstering the auto sector's edge through cost-effective, efficient supply lines.

Strategically, this venture catapults Morocco into the spotlight as a linchpin for clean energy innovation across Africa, mirroring the continent's growing stake in the worldwide shift to renewables. It underscores the fruits of cross-border teamwork, channeling tech know-how and capital to spur job growth and industrial evolution. As Europe races toward zero-emission vehicles by 2035, Morocco's gigafactory stands ready to fuel that momentum, potentially sparking a wave of similar projects and cementing Africa's foothold in sustainable tech.