March 03, 2025

Production at Morocco EV battery gigafactory starts June

March 04, 2025

A $2 billion EV battery gigafactory built in Morocco, one of the largest in the world, will start production in June. It will produce 120,000 tonnes of cathode components annually(context of time period). A cathode is a critical part of a battery and is where electricity flows out. The factory is a joint venture between Moroccan and Chinese firms. 

  • COBCO, the joint venture between Chinese battery manufacturer CNGR Advanced Material Co. and Moroccan holding company Al Mada that is building the factory, is establishing a comprehensive battery materials production platform in Morocco, aimed at supplying the growing EV market.  

  • Morocco, strategically located at Europe’s doorstep, is emerging as a serious player in the global EV supply chain. It is, therefore, in a prime position to utilise the battery factory for exports to Europe, where demand for EV batteries is growing, as well as North America and Asia.

  • Our take: The global supply of minerals is volatile. For this factory to succeed, Morocco has to secure a steady inflow of nickel, cobalt and manganese, which will be used to make the cathode components…  Read more (2 min)

Chinese electric vehicle company SFE Electric Car Manufacturing Group is planning to build Algeria’s first EV factory. The factory's production capacity is expected to range between 50,000 and 200,000 electric cars annually. It will be the first of its kind in Algeria and will produce cars for both domestic market and export.

  • Algeria has near universal access to electricity. It also has one of the cheapest electricity and gas prices in Africa, making it an attractive investment destination. This has made it attract a number of automakers, who are also looking to leverage its proximity to Europe.

  • Demand for electric cars in Algeria is growing, especially in major cities such as Algiers. The government, through the national electricity and gas utility Sonelgaz, is leading efforts to expand charging infrastructure to serve the growing number of EV owners. 

  • Our take: Algeria is a viable alternative to Morocco for making electric vehicles. The country offers most of the advantages that Morocco offers, but is also closer to other populous EV markets such as Egypt… Read more (2 min)

African mobility companies have raised over $39 million so far in 2025. Beneficiaries include Togo-based digital service provider Gozem, Egyptian social e-commerce platform Taager, Egyptian car marketplace Hatla2ee, ride-hailing firm Swvl, South African EV company Everlectric, and Tunisian e-scooter manufacturer Pixii Motors.

  • Service-based companies have secured the largest share of funding, outpacing manufacturing firms, despite Africa's ongoing efforts to strengthen its local supply chain.

  • Our take: Service-oriented mobility businesses appear more scalable, attracting increased investor interest due to their less capital-intensive nature compared to manufacturing companies... Read more (2 min)________________/

Marumbo Sichanga (second from right), Business Development Lead at Kabisa, speaking at a recent smart mobility conference in Rwanda

Events

🗓️ Attend Green Energy and Mobility Exhibition in Zimbabwe (Mar 10)

🗓️ Register for EV and Charge Live Africa in South Africa (May 25)

Jobs 

👨‍💼 Join MAX as a EV Fleet Officer (Nigeria)

👨🏻‍💻 Apply for Embedded System Engineer at Spiro (Nigeria)

💼 Become the next Product Engineering Lead at Shift EV (Egypt)

Various 

🏍️ Spiro is officially entering the Indian market

🚘 BYD Shark expected to enter the Kenyan market

⚡ Burkina Faso launches all-EV taxi service

Seen on LinkedIn 

Larrissa Venter, Chief Stakeholder Officer at Charge, says, “So many people think electric vehicles aren’t coming. Won’t be a real thing…But EVs will become the new norm, just like streaming.”

____________________