In recent years, the economic relationship between Morocco and China has significantly strengthened, positioning itself as one of the fastest-growing partnerships on the African continent. As of 2025, trade exchanges between the two nations are projected to reach approximately $10.96 billion, up from $9.04 billion in 2024, representing a remarkable growth rate exceeding 21%. This development is further underscored by Beijing's choice of Casablanca as the host city for the Moroccan segment of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo.
The city of Casablanca will host a historic economic event from June 10 to June 12, marking the first significant economic and trade activity organized outside China by Hunan Province on the African continent since the implementation of China's zero tariff policy benefiting 53 African nations.
Strategic Trade Leap
The bilateral trade volume between China and Morocco reached $10.96 billion in 2025, reflecting a notable increase from $9.04 billion in 2024. China has consistently been Morocco's third-largest trading partner globally and its largest partner in Asia. In 2025, Chinese exports to Morocco amounted to $9.88 billion, while imports from Morocco stood at $1.08 billion. These figures reveal a significantly imbalanced equation, with Morocco experiencing an annual trade deficit of approximately $8.8 billion in favor of Beijing. This disparity has become a point of contention in bilateral negotiations, which Morocco is actively working to address through two main strategies: a new customs exemption and integration into Chinese production chains by attracting factories.
Trade exchanges between the two countries are projected to exceed $10 billion annually by 2025, marking an increase of over 50% compared to the time before the partnership was established. This upward trajectory highlights a dynamic that shows no signs of slowing down, particularly with the gradual implementation of major Chinese industrial investment systems.
Key Industrial Developments and Future Prospects
One cannot understand the Morocco-China relationship without acknowledging the monumental construction underway in Kenitra, located just a few kilometers from Rabat. The Chinese-European company, Guosheng Power Morocco, has announced plans to build the first 'gigafactory' for electric vehicle batteries on the continent, with initial production expected to commence in the third quarter of 2026. The project will initially have a production capacity of 20 gigawatts, increasing to 100 gigawatts, and is anticipated to create 17,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Recent updates indicate tangible progress, with investments amounting to approximately 843 million dirhams by the end of 2025. Initial production is set to launch in August, with the first batteries expected to be manufactured in the same quarter. A research memorandum from BOCOM International reveals that production at the factory is now scheduled for August, reflecting significant advancements in project completion.
Furthermore, Morocco has also inaugurated its first factory for lithium-ion battery components in Jorf Lasfar, with an investment exceeding 20 billion dirhams, part of a joint project between the Moroccan Group Al Mada and the Chinese leader, CNGR. This plant will have a production capacity of 70 gigawatts, sufficient to supply around one million electric vehicles annually, establishing Morocco as a central player in global supply chains.
Across Morocco, various industrial hubs are increasingly marked by Chinese investment in the electric battery sector. The BTR group has received approval to build a cathode production facility on a 15-hectare site in the Mohammed VI Tangier Tech industrial city, with an expected annual production capacity of 50,000 tons, set to commence operations in September 2026.
The comprehensive picture that emerges from the amalgamation of these projects indicates that Morocco is constructing an integrated system for the entire electric battery value chain, from the production of cathode and anode materials to the manufacture and assembly of batteries in electric vehicles destined for European markets.
Morocco's strategic location has transformed it into a global hub for advanced Chinese industries, particularly in the electric mobility sector, with total investments in this area alone reaching around $10 billion. This robust growth is further supported by Morocco's burgeoning automotive industry, capable of producing one million vehicles annually and projected to generate revenues of 157 billion dirhams ($16 billion) from car exports by 2025.
Ultimately, the Moroccan experience stands out amidst other African nations' relationships with China, often characterized as "neo-colonialism." The distinct model Morocco is fostering prioritizes local capacity building and sustainable industrial development over mere importation of goods. This strategic approach not only enhances Morocco's economic landscape but also strengthens its global partnerships, making the partnership with China a vital and mutually beneficial endeavor.
As reported by assahifa.com.
