Morocco is set to become a major player in global cathode production, attracting over $700 million in investments primarily from Chinese companies. Among these, BTR, a subsidiary of China Bao’an Group and a key supplier for technology giant Tesla, is injecting a substantial $490 million into a new facility located in Tangier Technopark City, Tangier Province. This plant is anticipated to produce an impressive 50,000 tons of cathode for lithium-ion batteries annually. The surge in Morocco's cathode production is fueled by increased investments in 2023, with notable contributions from Chinese companies such as Huayou Cobalt, CNGR, and Tinci. The country's strategic location, coupled with free trade connections with the U.S. and Europe, has made it an attractive destination for Chinese investors aiming to access these markets. Furthermore, Morocco's abundant phosphate reserves, constituting 71 percent of the global total, crucially position it in the cathode industry, particularly for lithium iron phosphate cathodes.
In December 2023, Morocco signed a significant agreement with Guchen Hi-Tech, a Sino-European conglomerate in electric mobility, involving investments estimated at a substantial $6.4 billion. This underscores the growing appeal of Morocco to foreign investors. The country's unique combination of strategic location, trade partnerships, and rich natural resources positions it as a key player in the evolving landscape of global cathode production.