
The African Development Bank AfDB has approved a €100 million loan to Gotion High-Tech Co. Ltd. for the construction of Africa's first integrated battery manufacturing plant in Morocco. This gigafactory, located in the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra free zone Atlantic Free Zone, will cover the entire value chain from cathode materials to cells. The AfDB also plans to mobilize an additional €141 million from financial partners as the lead arranger under the New African Financial Architecture for Development NAFAD. The project, led by the China-based battery manufacturer Gotion High-Tech, aims to establish Morocco as a global hub for electric mobility and green technology value chains. The initial phase of the gigafactory will produce 10 gigawatt-hours GWh of battery cells and packs for electric vehicles, with plans to scale up to 100 GWh. Kevin Kariuki, Vice-President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth at the AfDB, highlighted that battery storage is crucial for Africa's clean energy transition, supporting the integration of solar and wind energy and providing reliable, low-carbon power. He added that the project will create green industrial jobs and develop resilient value chains. Achraf Tarsim, AfDB Country Manager for Morocco, emphasized that the gigafactory will boost Morocco's industrial competitiveness and accelerate its emergence as an African manufacturing platform for sustainable mobility industries. It will also foster an African industrial ecosystem for batteries and e
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Must ReadThe United States has imposed new tariffs of 10% or 12.5% on certain products from approximately 60 countries, effective Friday at 00:01 04:01 GMT. Goods already en route to the US will be exempt if they arrive before July 28, 00:01. China, among the countries facing a 12.5% tariff, has expressed opposition to these new taxes and any "trade war." The European Union, subject to a 10% tariff, welcomed the outcome as consistent with US commitments in last year's trade agreement between Brussels and Washington, according to the European Commission. Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Norway have criticized these new customs barriers. These surtaxes replace temporary 10% tariffs imposed in February by the Trump administration after the Supreme Court annulled most surtaxes decreed since its return to the White House. The new measures stem from an investigation launched in mid-March by US Trade Representative USTR Jamieson Greer to determine if US trading partners had eliminated products from forced labor from their supply chains. Greer stated on CNN that the goal is to end trade in such products, ensuring fair competition. Countries with legislation deemed incomplete by the US, including the EU, UK, Mexico, and Canada, face a 10% tariff on some products. Approximately 40 other countries, such as China, Japan, Switzerland, and South Korea, will see their products taxed at 12.5%. Energy and raw materials not produced in the US are expected to be excluded. International trade lawyer Gr
Must ReadFrance has requested the activation of the European Union's civil protection mechanism to combat wildfires devastating its southwestern and southeastern regions. President Emmanuel Macron announced that Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia will provide two Canadair aircraft, two Air Tractor aircraft, and two Black Hawk heavy helicopters. The situation remains tense, particularly in Gironde, where a fire in the Landes de Gascogne forest has burned 4,800 hectares and led to over 20,000 evacuations near Arcachon. This area was also affected by severe fires in 2022. The European Commission had previously deployed three water-bombing planes. In the Var department in southeastern France, firefighters are battling active fires in Correns and Montfort-sur-Argens, with a fire that started on Tuesday having covered approximately 2,700 hectares and impacted around 50 homes, destroying 25. Meanwhile, Spain has declared a national state of emergency in the Madrid region and neighboring Avila province due to multiple active wildfires, leading to the evacuation of over 10,000 people. Since January 1, nearly 125,000 hectares have burned in Spain. Southern Italy, particularly Sicily, is also experiencing numerous wildfires exacerbated by hot winds. The dry vegetation and soil, intensified by recent heatwaves, contribute to the rapid spread of these fires. Climate scientists from the World Weather Attribution group indicate that human-induced climate change is worsening the curr

The 9th edition of the Morocco Today Forum MTF 2026 is taking place live from Errachidia, organized by Groupe Le Matin under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The event brings together decision-makers, experts, elected officials, researchers, economic actors, and civil society representatives to discuss territorial development, advanced regionalization, regional attractiveness, and the role of digital technology in achieving a more integrated and inclusive emergence for Morocco. The forum aims to make territorial development a driver of national emergence, social cohesion, and spatial justice.