Zambia Enters the Race for Electric Vehicle Production Against Morocco’s Ambitions in the Sector
Zambia is confidently moving to change its position in the global market from merely a supplier of raw copper to a key player in electric vehicle supply chains, while Morocco continues to strengthen its leading position in this sector within Africa. Zambia aims to localize the production of electric vehicle components near its rich copper mines, which is an essential component in batteries and wiring, benefiting from having the second-largest copper production in Africa.
The Zambian government has issued a direct call to global electric vehicle manufacturers to establish their factories within the country, intending to leverage over 2.1 billion metric tons of copper reserves and achieve local added value instead of exporting it in raw form. Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane announced advanced talks with international investors to set up factories close to the mines, focusing on exports to South Africa and attracting Asian companies that have expressed interest in investing in this field.
In contrast, Morocco is solidifying its status as a comprehensive industrial platform for electric vehicle production, enhancing its strategic location close to Europe and developing a robust network of investment relationships, particularly with Asian partners. The kingdom has increased its production capacity by 53%, targeting 107,000 electric vehicles annually by the end of 2025. It has also launched massive projects for battery components production in partnership with Chinese industry giants, including Geely and BYD, with expectations to open its first battery components factory by mid this year.
This competition reflects a growing continental trend toward moving away from exporting raw materials and positioning as a real industrial player in the global green economy. Morocco relies on its superior infrastructure and advanced industrial alliances, while Zambia seeks to play a pivotal role in supply chains, leveraging its mineral wealth and strategic plans with international partners, including the United States and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to develop new export and transformation corridors.
