Morocco banks on sustainable mobility to consolidate its leadership in Africa’s automotive sector

The Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) hosted, on Monday at the Rabat campus of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, the “RSK CONNECT AUTO” conference, a high‑level meeting focused on the automotive industry and the strategic challenges of sustainable mobility.

Initiated by the Rabat‑Salé‑Kénitra Regional Investment Centre (CRI‑RSK) in partnership with PCNS, the conference—held under the theme “Territorial Dynamics and Investment Opportunities for the Sustainable Mobility Industry”—brought together public decision‑makers, business leaders, national and international investors, experts and industrial stakeholders to discuss the profound transformations affecting the global and national automotive industry.

Sustainable mobility has now emerged as a major lever for industrial competitiveness, innovation and territorial development, stated Brahim Benmoussa, Secretary General of the Ministry of Investment, Convergence and the Evaluation of Public Policies, at the opening of the event.

In the current international context, marked by the acceleration of the energy transition and unprecedented technological advancement, sustainable mobility should be viewed as a necessity rather than a choice, he argued, adding that the Kingdom aims “to support the transition towards more sustainable, innovative and high‑value‑added forms of mobility.”

The establishment in Kénitra of the Gigafactory led by Gotion Power Morocco illustrates this new phase of industrial development focused on future mobility and high‑value‑added industries, Mr Benmoussa noted. He considered that this momentum reflects Morocco’s ability to anticipate transformations in the global automotive sector and to position itself within the strategic segments of tomorrow’s mobility.

He recalled that the Kingdom, Africa’s leading automotive hub and a competitive industrial destination, has—under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI—undertaken an ambitious transformation of its industry, driven by the development of world‑class infrastructure, a skilled workforce and a continuously improving business environment.

For his part, the Director of CRI‑RSK, Mohcine Benjelloun, pointed out that the automotive industry is evolving towards more sustainable models based on electrification and innovation, under the combined influence of environmental imperatives, technological advances and changing market expectations.

Sustainable mobility is now “a reality under construction,” carrying major industrial opportunities for territories capable of anticipating and supporting these transformations, he added.

In this context, Morocco confirms its position as a “leading investment destination and the industrial locomotive of the continent,” he continued, noting that the Rabat‑Salé‑Kénitra region ranks among the Kingdom’s most dynamic economic hubs, thanks to its geostrategic location, efficient multimodal connectivity, modern infrastructure and qualified human capital.

Along the same lines, Mohammed Loulichki, senior fellow at PCNS, considered that the meeting provides an opportunity to engage in collective reflection on issues of competitiveness, innovation and investment related to the future of the automotive industry and sustainable mobility.

The discussions are expected to encourage the sharing of best practices and to strengthen the partnerships necessary to support the development of this industry, he maintained.

The programme includes two high‑level panels focusing on industrial competitiveness challenges and the prospects of future mobility, as well as B2B sessions between potential investors and actors within the regional ecosystem.

“RSK CONNECT AUTO” is conceived as a platform for dialogue and networking between public and private stakeholders, with the aim of positioning the Rabat‑Salé‑Kénitra region as an innovative, sustainable industrial hub connected to major international dynamics shaping the mobility of tomorrow.