Morocco aims to position itself as a key player in the global battery and electric vehicle supply chains. According to Riyad Mezzour, the Minister of Industry and Trade, the country is structuring “a complete battery manufacturing chain, from resource extraction to the final module.”
In an interview with Platts (S&P Global Energy), Mezzour detailed Morocco’s strategy: the kingdom is leveraging its mining resources, energy competitiveness, and established automotive industry to offer Europe a reliable and nearby partner. “For the past fifteen years, we have built a complete ecosystem aimed at the European market, capable of meeting production, quality, and export demands,” he explains.
The minister emphasizes the necessity of national electrification. “Fully integrating the battery value chain is vital: without it, Morocco would remain dependent on imports for a key element of its automotive industry,” he underlines.
### Resources and Energy Competitiveness: Strategic Assets
Phosphate, a major national resource, plays a decisive role in this strategy. With “the world’s largest reserve” and the rise of lithium iron phosphate technology, Morocco is among the few countries capable of ensuring a continuous supply for an industry whose demand will grow sustainably.
In addition to these resources, the country boasts competitive energy, which is essential for a sector with high electricity consumption. Morocco also has proven industrial expertise, particularly in the manufacturing of complex materials such as fertilizers, automotive components, and aircraft engines.
### A Gradual Yet Ambitious Industrial Deployment
The production timeline is clear: exports of precursors began in January 2025, the first cells and modules are expected by June 2026, and battery management systems, electrolytes, and separators should be ready by early 2026, followed by anodes in the second quarter. This ramp-up is expected to enable Morocco to supply between 400,000 and 500,000 vehicles annually “by the end of 2026,” with a fully operational chain.
The minister also highlights the adaptation of infrastructure to industrial needs. The average timeline for building factories, estimated at eighteen months, provides the necessary time to adjust the electrical grid. According to him, “failing to utilize cheaper renewable electricity than imported hydrocarbons would be a strategic mistake. This energy should serve future industries, among which the battery sector plays a central role.”
### Opening Up to Foreign Investors
To attract foreign companies, Morocco offers direct access to resources and some of the most competitive renewable electricity rates in the region. Logistical support and co-investments with local partners can also secure certain projects, thereby enhancing the kingdom’s attractiveness for the battery and electric mobility sector.