Gotion High Tech to Establish Africa’s First Gigafactory in Morocco

In a landmark development, China’s Gotion High Tech has announced the construction of Africa’s first gigafactory in Morocco, with production set to commence in the third quarter of 2026. This was confirmed by Hicham Chaoudri, a director in the investment department, during an announcement on Friday.

Gotion High Tech has secured a $1.3 billion investment deal with the Moroccan government to build a state-of-the-art battery production plant in Kenitra, located north of Rabat. “This is a historic investment marking the first gigafactory in Africa,” Chaoudri remarked, emphasising that construction will begin within weeks.

The facility will not only produce batteries but also key components such as cathodes and anodes, primarily for export. The initial production capacity is set at 20 gigawatts per hour (GWh), with plans to scale up to 100 GWh. The total investment could eventually reach $6.5 billion, according to a statement from the Moroccan government.

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This significant investment is expected to bolster Morocco’s efforts to attract more manufacturers in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain, adapting its automotive sector to the growing EV market. “Through such investments, we are seeking to preserve 220,000 jobs in the automotive sector as it shifts from combustion to electric engines,” Chaoudri added.

Morocco’s automotive sector, which topped the country’s industrial exports at $14 billion in 2023—a 27% increase from the previous year—stands to benefit greatly from this venture. The country already hosts production plants for automakers Stellantis and Renault, boasting a combined annual production capacity of 700,000 cars, supported by a network of local suppliers.

Morocco’s strategic geographic location near Europe, coupled with its free trade agreements with key EU and U.S. markets and an established automotive industry, makes it an attractive destination for Chinese EV battery manufacturers. In addition to Gotion High Tech, other Chinese companies are also investing in Morocco. In May, Hailiang and Shinzoom announced plans to build plants near Tangier to produce copper and anodes, respectively. A month earlier, BTR New Material Group received approval to construct a cathode factory near Tangier. CNGR Advanced Material is also planning to establish a cathode plant in Jorf Lasfar, 100 km south of Casablanca, on a government-allocated 283-hectare site dedicated to electric battery industries.

“We are negotiating with other manufacturers … other investments are coming,” Chaoudri indicated, hinting at more future collaborations.

This influx of investment from Chinese firms underscores Morocco’s growing importance in the global EV supply chain, positioning the country as a pivotal player in the transition to electric mobility.