EV battery manufacturing takes shape in Africa

From the newsletter

The continent is projected to produce over 720,000 tonnes of EV battery materials annually by 2030, according to data collected by Mobility Rising. This capacity could support large-scale EV battery production across Africa. However, with a significant portion intended for export, the development of a fully localised EV manufacturing supply chain may be delayed.

• Tinci Materials Technology is the latest Chinese company to show up, bringing the total to six major firms, mostly operating in Morocco. Others include BTR New Material Group, Zhejiang Hailiang, Shinzoom, CNGR Advanced Material, and Gotion High Tech. 

• Spiro operates Africa’s largest electric motorcycle battery assembly plant, with its Kenyan facility capable of producing up to 100,000 batteries annually. Gogo Electric follows closely, with a yearly capacity of 60,000 units.

More details

• The combined output from these six projects includes 230,000 tonnes of cathode material, 185,000 tonnes of anode material, and 150,000 tonnes of battery electrolyte annually. In addition, they will produce smaller but essential volumes of 50,000 tonnes of alloy, 35,000 tonnes of pipe, 40,000 tonnes of rod, 25,000 tonnes of copper foil, and 30,000 tonnes of black mass for recycling.

• Tinci Materials Technology, a leading Chinese electrolyte and lithium battery materials manufacturer, is constructing a plant in Jorf Lasfar to produce 150,000 tonnes of battery electrolyte and lithium-based materials annually. These materials are critical for EV battery cells. Construction began in 2025, with production planned to commence in 2026.

• Gotion High Tech, a major Chinese lithium-ion battery producer, is establishing a gigafactory in Kenitra, starting with an annual capacity of 20 GWh, and aiming to scale up to 120 GWh. The facility will manufacture lithium-ion batteries, cathode materials, and energy storage systems for export to Europe. Trial production is expected in the third quarter of 2026.

• BTR New Material Group, one of the world’s largest suppliers of lithium battery cathode and anode materials, is investing in two plants in Tangier; one for 50,000 tonnes of cathode material and another for 60,000 tonnes of anode material. The cathode plant targets a Q3 2025 launch, while the anode plant is scheduled to ramp up production by 2026 or 2027.

• Zhejiang Hailiang, one of China’s biggest copper processing and alloy manufacturing companies, is developing a 150,000-tonne facility in Tangier, set to produce 50,000 tonnes of alloy, 35,000 tonnes of pipe, 40,000 tonnes of rod, and 25,000 tonnes of copper foil annually. These components are essential for battery casings, wiring, and thermal systems. Completion is anticipated by mid-2027.

• Shinzoom, a Chinese high-tech enterprise specialising in anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, is building a 100,000-tonne anode material plant, also in Tangier, with a total investment of $690 million. Production is expected to begin between late 2026 and early 2027, serving both local battery assemblers and export markets.

• CNGR Advanced Material, a global leader in nickel-based cathode precursor materials and battery recycling, is setting up a facility in Jorf Lasfar to produce nickel sulphate, phosphate-based products, and process 30,000 tonnes of black mass annually for recycling into new battery materials. Initial operations were planned to begin in the last quarter of 2024, with full capacity expected by 2026–2027.

• These six Chinese firms are tapping into Morocco’s political stability, port access, free trade zones, and renewable energy potential to anchor their global battery supply chains. The chosen sites, Tangier, Kenitra, and Jorf Lasfar, are strategically located near ports, automotive clusters, and key industrial zones.

Our take

• Most of Morocco’s major battery material and component projects are scheduled for completion by 2027. However, timelines may extend towards 2030 to account for possible construction delays, regulatory shifts, or supply chain disruptions.

• Africa’s abundance of critical minerals, cobalt, manganese, lithium, and phosphate, provides a strong base for battery manufacturing. As Morocco begins producing key materials like LFP, anodes, and electrolytes, the country is well-positioned to attract full EV battery manufacturers seeking integrated, localised supply chains.

• Morocco offers the lowest EV production labour cost globally, at just $106 per vehicle, outpacing both Asian and Western markets. This cost advantage is expected to extend to battery and component production, further boosting Morocco’s manufacturing competitiveness.