Gotion Power Morocco, a branch of the Sino-European electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturer Gotion High Tech, plans to commence construction of its gigafactory in Morocco soon, reported Reuters citing the company's Moroccan head Khalid Qalam.

The move follows an investment agreement signed in June 2024 between Gotion High Tech and the Moroccan government.

Planned to be built near Kenitra in northwestern Morocco, the proposed gigafactory is expected to mark the first of its kind on the African continent. It involves a total investment of $6.5bn.

Qalam was cited by the news agency as saying at an industry conference in Rabat, Morocco, that the groundwork for the site had been finalised.

He stated that the facility is expected to begin production in the third quarter of 2026.

The project's initial phase will involve an investment of $1.3bn and deliver a production capacity of 20GW.

Qalam noted that the company had reached an agreement with the Moroccan government to eventually expand capacity to 40GW in a second phase, though no timeline was disclosed.

Beyond battery manufacturing, the facility will also produce cathodes and anodes.

Qalam said the intention is to export the majority of production to Europe.

"We have already received orders from many European car manufacturers," Qalam added.

SK IE Technology Company (SKIET), an EV battery materials manufacturer belonging to South Korea’s SK Group, signed a preliminary agreement to supply materials to Gotion High Tech Company.

The deal provides for SKIET to supply separator materials for Gotion’s EV battery and ESS plants located in the US and Europe.