The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a €100 million (approximately US$114 million) loan to support the construction of Africa’s first electric vehicle battery gigafactory in the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Free Trade Zone, Morocco. This marks a significant milestone in the continent’s industrial and clean energy development. The bank also plans to mobilize up to €141 million in additional financing from development partners, under its New African Financial Architecture for Development (NAFAD) initiative.
The gigafactory is set to make Morocco the continent’s first large-scale producer of electric vehicle batteries and strengthen its role as a global automotive manufacturing hub. The project is being developed by Gotion High-Tech, a Chinese battery and energy storage systems manufacturer, through its subsidiary, Gotion Power Morocco. The first phase is designed to produce 10 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of battery capacity annually, with plans to expand to 100 GWh.
The financing secured for Morocco’s EV battery gigafactory marks a landmark investment in Africa’s industrial transformation. By establishing the continent’s first integrated battery manufacturing facility, Morocco is positioning itself as a leading player in the global electric vehicle supply chain. The project is expected to generate employment, strengthen local manufacturing capabilities, promote technology transfer, and support both regional economic development and global transition towards sustainable transportation.