Casablanca – China’s Gotion High-Tech is preparing to begin commissioning production equipment at its electric vehicle battery factory in Kenitra on October 20, 2026, marking a new stage in Morocco’s efforts to establish itself as a manufacturing base for electric mobility and energy storage technologies. The project, developed through its subsidiary Gotion Power Morocco, has completed construction of its main industrial facilities in approximately 13 months and is moving toward the start of industrial operations.

Located in the Atlantic Free Zone in Kenitra, the factory represents an investment of approximately $1.3 billion in its first phase. It is designed to reach an annual production capacity of 20 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells. The facility will supply batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems, targeting customers in Morocco, other African countries, Europe, the Middle East and the United States.

The planned commissioning marks an important transition from construction and equipment installation to industrial operations. However, the October 20 date concerns the start-up of production equipment rather than the immediate achievement of full capacity. Technical testing, validation of manufacturing processes and the gradual increase of output will determine the pace at which the factory reaches its planned production levels.

Construction completed in 13 months

The development of the Kenitra factory has progressed rapidly since construction began in September 2025, following the completion of initial earthworks. Within approximately 13 months, the company completed the main buildings and infrastructure required for battery cell manufacturing.

The speed of implementation reflects the scale of the resources mobilized for the project, as well as cooperation between Moroccan and Chinese teams, industrial partners and public authorities at national, regional and local levels.

The completion of the main factory buildings represents a substantial step toward establishing battery cell production in Morocco. The next phase will focus on commissioning the equipment, checking production systems and ensuring that the manufacturing process meets the required technical and quality standards.

These procedures are necessary before commercial output can increase. Battery production requires precise control over manufacturing conditions, product consistency and quality assurance, particularly when supplying automotive customers whose technical requirements are demanding.

The factory’s planned annual capacity of 20 GWh places the project among the major investments being developed to support the expansion of electric mobility supply chains. Its contribution to Morocco’s industrial base will depend on how quickly production stabilizes, how much of the planned capacity is utilized and the extent to which the facility develops commercial relationships with vehicle manufacturers and energy storage companies.

LFP technology at the center of production

The first phase of the project will focus on lithium iron phosphate batteries, commonly known as LFP batteries. This technology has gained importance in the electric vehicle market because of its relatively competitive costs, durability and long service life.

LFP batteries are used in electric vehicles and stationary storage systems, where they can help store electricity for later use. Their characteristics make them relevant to several segments of the energy transition, including electric transport, renewable electricity integration and the management of fluctuations in power supply.

Gotion’s Kenitra facility is expected to manufacture battery cells and battery systems for both automotive applications and energy storage projects. This dual focus could broaden the range of customers served by the factory and connect its operations to developments in the transport and energy sectors.

The international market for batteries is expanding as vehicle manufacturers increase their electric model offerings and energy companies invest in storage capacity. However, manufacturers also face competition over production costs, technological performance, supply security and access to raw materials.

For Morocco, attracting battery manufacturing investment offers an opportunity to expand its automotive sector beyond conventional vehicle assembly and established components. Battery cells are a strategically important part of electric vehicles, and local manufacturing could create additional links between vehicle producers, component suppliers and technical service providers.

The scale of the opportunity will depend on the development of a competitive production base and the ability to attract further investment in related activities.

An export-oriented industrial base

Gotion plans to use Kenitra as a production and export platform serving several international markets. The company has identified Morocco, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the United States as potential destinations for its batteries.

Morocco’s geographical position between Europe and Africa, its established automotive manufacturing base and its trade agreements with international partners provide advantages for export-oriented production. The country already hosts vehicle assembly plants and a network of suppliers producing components for international automotive manufacturers.

The addition of battery cell manufacturing could help expand this industrial network and create opportunities for companies involved in electrical systems, industrial equipment, materials processing, logistics and specialized maintenance.

Nevertheless, the factory’s export potential will depend on demand, commercial agreements, compliance with the technical requirements of destination markets and the competitiveness of its products. The announcement of production capacity does not by itself establish the volume of batteries that will be sold or the proportion destined for each market.

The commissioning period will therefore be important in determining how quickly the facility can move from installed capacity to regular commercial deliveries.

Thousands of containers and extensive equipment installation

Preparing the factory for production has required a large logistical operation to transport machinery, production lines and advanced technological equipment from China to Morocco.

Several thousand containers were shipped to Kenitra as part of the installation process. The company described the operation as exceptional in scale for an industrial project in Morocco, requiring coordination of deliveries, port handling, customs procedures and the installation of equipment at the site.

Moroccan port and customs authorities supported the process to facilitate the arrival of machinery and keep preparations on schedule. The operation illustrates the logistical requirements associated with establishing a battery manufacturing facility, where specialized equipment must be delivered and installed before production can begin.

The completion of these preparations has allowed the project to move toward the commissioning stage. Once the equipment begins operating, technical teams will need to verify its performance and ensure that different production stages function together as intended.

The gradual ramp-up of output will also require coordination between equipment operators, quality control personnel, maintenance teams and suppliers of production inputs.

More than 400 Moroccan employees recruited

Gotion Power Morocco has recruited more than 400 Moroccan employees for the project. The workforce includes engineers, technicians, production operators, administrative personnel and employees responsible for support functions.

Most of the Moroccan recruits received specialized training at Gotion High-Tech facilities in China before joining the Kenitra factory. They were subsequently supported by the group’s experts as preparations advanced at the Moroccan site.

The training is intended to transfer technical knowledge in battery manufacturing and prepare employees to operate advanced production equipment. Their responsibilities are expected to include manufacturing operations, equipment monitoring, maintenance and quality control.

The development of local skills is an important part of establishing a new industrial activity. Battery production requires technical expertise that may differ from the skills used in other areas of automotive manufacturing, making training and experience essential to the factory’s performance.

As output increases, the company may need to expand its workforce and deepen its training programs. The development of Moroccan expertise could also benefit other businesses entering the battery supply chain, particularly in industrial maintenance, electrical engineering and specialized manufacturing services.

The longer-term economic impact will depend partly on the quality and duration of employment created, the transfer of technical knowledge and the ability of local suppliers and workers to participate in increasingly specialized activities.

A separate cathode materials project with Volkswagen

Gotion’s battery cell factory is being developed alongside a separate investment in cathode materials, which are essential components of rechargeable batteries.

On September 28, German automotive group Volkswagen, a shareholder in Gotion High-Tech, and the Chinese company announced plans for a joint venture in Kenitra dedicated to producing 100,000 tonnes of cathode materials.

Under the announced arrangement, Gotion is expected to hold 51% of the joint venture, while Volkswagen’s battery subsidiary, PowerCo, will own 49%.

The cathode materials project is distinct from the battery cell manufacturing facility scheduled to begin commissioning on October 20. Construction and infrastructure work for the materials unit has also begun, according to information released about the development.

The two projects could strengthen the links between different stages of battery manufacturing in Morocco. Producing cells and key battery materials in the same industrial area could support the development of local suppliers, improve coordination between production activities and attract additional investment.

However, the presence of both projects does not automatically mean that the entire battery supply chain will be localized. The extent of domestic sourcing will depend on the availability of competitive materials, supplier capabilities, technical specifications and commercial decisions made by the companies involved.

The partnership with Volkswagen nevertheless connects the Moroccan project to a major international automotive group and its wider efforts to develop battery supply capacity.

Implications for Morocco’s industrial strategy

The development of Gotion’s gigafactory comes as Morocco seeks to maintain its position in the international automotive sector while adapting to the transition from combustion-engine vehicles to electric mobility.

The country’s established automotive manufacturing base provides an industrial foundation for attracting investments in electric vehicle components. Battery manufacturing could complement vehicle assembly and the production of wiring systems, electronic components and other automotive parts.

The project may also support the development of expertise relevant to energy storage, an area linked to the integration of renewable electricity into power systems. Battery storage can help manage differences between electricity production and demand, although the factory’s actual contribution to domestic energy projects will depend on future sales and supply agreements.

The Kenitra facility’s location within an established industrial zone may facilitate access to transport infrastructure, suppliers and a trained workforce. At the same time, the long-term competitiveness of battery production will depend on operating costs, reliable energy supplies, logistics, workforce development and sustained international demand.

The initial production target of 20 GWh annually provides a clear measure of the factory’s planned scale, but actual output will depend on the commissioning results and subsequent ramp-up. Further investment and expansion would also require commercial justification and the successful development of the company’s market position.

With construction of the main facility completed and equipment commissioning scheduled to begin on October 20, Gotion Power Morocco is approaching a decisive stage in its investment. The project’s performance in the coming months will help establish whether Kenitra can become a significant production and export base for electric vehicle batteries, while the separate cathode materials venture could broaden the industrial activities linked to the project.

The combined developments offer Morocco an opportunity to strengthen its participation in global battery supply chains. Their longer-term contribution will be measured through actual production, exports, employment, technical skills and the extent to which additional manufacturing and supplier activities take root in the country.