Rabat: AfricUpdate – News Desk
Morocco has reached a significant milestone in its ambition to become a key player in the global automotive sector, according to the Spanish economic daily El Economista on Tuesday. Over the past decade, the country has doubled its vehicle production capacity, reaching one million units in 2025. This achievement places Morocco among the world’s top fifteen manufacturers and establishes it as the leading automotive hub in Africa. El Economista attributes this success to a strategy combining substantial investments, infrastructure modernization – including the Tanger Med port – and large-scale projects such as the new Nador West Med port complex.
“The trigger for this rapid growth has been a combination of political decisions, multi-million-dollar investments, and a strategy that goes far beyond automobile assembly,” the Spanish daily wrote. “Morocco has understood that the future of its economy lies in industrialization, and specifically, in establishing itself as a global production and export platform in high-value-added sectors such as the automotive industry.” The presence of major manufacturers like Renault and Stellantis has firmly integrated Morocco into the global automotive value chain, with production levels comparable to those of several traditional industrial countries in Europe.
The publication highlights Morocco’s strategic advantages, including geographic proximity to Europe, a skilled and competitive workforce, and an attractive fiscal framework, making the country an appealing platform for international investors. Spain, in particular, closely monitors this dynamic, viewing it both as a competitive challenge and an opportunity for industrial cooperation. Adding to Morocco’s competitive edge is the new port of Beni Enzar in Nador, just a few kilometers from Melilla. With an investment exceeding MAD 77 billion (around $7.7 billion), the port is expected to become a major logistics hub, handling millions of tons of goods annually, including automobiles, raw materials, and energy products.
“Its implementation is scheduled for 2027, and if forecasts are met, it could multiply Moroccan competitiveness by enabling a constant flow of logistics between Africa, Europe, and the Americas,” the report noted. Strategic agreements with the United States have already begun to redirect some maritime traffic to Moroccan ports, potentially at the expense of Spanish ports. This trajectory reflects Morocco’s determination, under the guidance of King Mohammed VI, to position the automotive industry as a driver of economic development and a lever for global trade integration.
