Morocco is emerging as one of the African countries best positioned to attract Chinese investment in electric vehicles and battery manufacturing, as Chinese automakers increasingly shift from exporting vehicles to establishing production capacity on the continent, according to an Associated Press report.
The report, published Wednesday, said South Africa, Morocco, Kenya, Ethiopia and Ghana are among the African markets considered best placed to attract Chinese EV investment, citing their industrial capacity, supportive policies and expanding electricity infrastructure.
Morocco has an additional advantage because of its proximity to European export markets, AP noted, strengthening its potential role as a manufacturing and export hub for Chinese automotive companies.
The country is also set to host Africa's first large-scale battery gigafactory, according to the report, placing Morocco at the center of the continent's emerging electric-vehicle supply chain.
The AP report comes as Chinese automakers are increasingly looking to manufacture vehicles closer to African consumers rather than relying exclusively on exports. The shift is being driven by slowing demand in China and rising trade barriers in Europe and North America, while Africa's rapid urbanization, expanding middle class and demand for more affordable vehicles are creating new opportunities.
In July, Chinese automaker Chery acquired Nissan's former Rosslyn plant near Pretoria, South Africa, where it plans to produce plug-in hybrids, battery-electric vehicles and vehicles under its Jetour brand. Other Chinese companies, including BAIC and Great Wall Motor, also have manufacturing, assembly or distribution operations in South Africa.
Against this backdrop, Morocco's combination of an established automotive industry, access to European markets and growing battery-production capacity could give it a strategic position in the next phase of China's expansion into Africa's automotive sector.
The country's EV ambitions have already attracted major Chinese investment. A project led by China's Gotion High-Tech is planned to establish an integrated lithium-iron-phosphate battery manufacturing facility in Morocco, with an initial planned capacity of 10 gigawatt-hours annually and a longer-term expansion target of 100 GWh.
The expansion of Chinese manufacturing could also help accelerate the development of local supply chains, charging infrastructure and battery production across Africa, while potentially lowering vehicle prices by reducing reliance on imported cars and avoiding some import duties, AP reported.
Experts cited by AP said the shift could transform Africa from primarily a destination for imported vehicles into a genuine manufacturing base.
However, significant challenges remain, including infrastructure constraints, reliable electricity supplies, charging networks and policy uncertainty. Stable tax, tariff and industrial policies will be crucial to convincing manufacturers to make long-term investments on the continent.
For Morocco, the developments underline its growing ambitions to position itself not only as an automotive manufacturing platform for European markets, but also as a key African hub for electric vehicles and battery production.
