Marrakech – Africa’s maiden battery gigafactory will begin commissioning its production lines during the week of October 20, marking a decisive shift for Morocco’s clean energy ambitions.
Gotion Power Morocco (GPM), a subsidiary of China’s Gotion High-Tech, confirmed the schedule in a statement. The Kenitra facility stands as the first of its kind across both Africa and the Middle East.
The commissioning paves the way for manufacturing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells, composed of lithium, iron, and phosphate, with an initial capacity of 20 GWh. GPM president Khalid Qalam previously indicated the first cell line would start in October, followed by a second in November. Assembled battery sales could commence before year end.
Located within Kenitra’s Atlantic Free Zone, the project drew MAD 13 billion ($1.3 billion) for its opening phase. Output will target automotive and energy storage markets, serving Morocco, the broader African continent, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States.
Construction began in September 2025 after initial earthworks. Crews completed the buildings and infrastructure for the cell plant in just 13 months, a pace GPM ranks among the fastest industrial builds globally. The effort demanded a logistics mobilization unprecedented in Moroccan industry, with thousands of containers shipped from China carrying production lines and high-tech equipment, supported by port and customs authorities.
“The startup of the equipment on October 20 is only a first step in the rollout of a unique and promising project, meant to durably structure Morocco’s battery industrial ecosystem,” Qalam said. He linked the plant to the kingdom’s energy sovereignty ambitions.
Over 400 Moroccan employees have already joined GPM, including engineers, technicians, operators, and support staff. Most received training in China at Gotion High-Tech facilities before working alongside group experts in Kenitra. At full capacity, the gigafactory promises more than 2,300 direct jobs.
The initial phase targets 20 GWh of cells, battery packs, and energy storage systems, plus 100,000 tons of cathode materials.
Meanwhile, Volkswagen, a Gotion High-Tech shareholder, advanced the project further on September 28 by announcing a Kenitra joint venture for cathode materials. That partnership falls under a broader Gotion-Volkswagen plan to invest roughly €3.22 billion ($3.67 billion) across battery and materials projects in Europe and North Africa. Gotion would contribute about €1.6 billion, while PowerCo, Volkswagen’s battery division, would add €1.62 billion.
The Kenitra cathode project alone carries a price tag near €480 million and an annual capacity of 100,000 metric tons, prioritizing supplies to two European battery plants. Gotion will hold a 51% stake, with PowerCo retaining 49%.
Financing arrived earlier in the year when the African Development Bank approved a €100 million loan to GPM on July 24, with plans to mobilize up to €141 million more from partners. The bank projected the facility would scale from 10 GWh toward 100 GWh, create over 600 direct jobs, and reach a 70% local industrial integration rate.
Gotion ranked fifth among global EV battery makers through the first seven months of 2026, recording 34.0 GWh installed, a 44.2% jump year over year.
