Morocco is set to host Africa’s first large-scale battery gigafactory following a landmark $5.6 billion investment deal with Chinese partners, media outlets including Reuters and Africa Intelligence reported on Friday.
The facility, to be located in Kenitra near Rabat, is expected to produce lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. Insiders cited by Bloomberg noted that the project will give Morocco a critical foothold in the global energy transition, leveraging its growing role as a hub for green industrial supply chains.
The Ministry of Industry highlighted that the deal builds on Morocco’s strong trade ties with China, while aligning with the kingdom’s climate and economic diversification agenda. Analysts told Financial Times that this investment could transform Morocco into a strategic battery manufacturing base, supplying both European and African markets.
Industry observers also stressed that the initiative will create thousands of jobs and spur local demand for mined raw materials, potentially drawing further upstream investment into Africa’s mineral sector.
The gigafactory is scheduled to begin phased construction in 2026, with the first production lines expected to be operational by 2028.
