Morocco has officially launched construction of what is set to become Africa’s largest tyre manufacturing facility, marking a major milestone in the country’s industrial expansion and its ambition to dominate automotive production across the continent.
The project, located in the Batouya Industrial Acceleration Zone in Driouch province, was formally launched this week at a ceremony attended by senior government officials, regional authorities and representatives of the project developer, according to Morocco World News and local government statements.
Once completed, the plant is expected to position Morocco as a leading tyre production hub serving European, African and Middle Eastern markets.
The Driouch investment underscores Morocco’s accelerating push to attract large-scale foreign manufacturing projects as global firms seek supply chain diversification closer to Europe. With the automotive sector already accounting for the kingdom’s largest export earnings, the tyre factory is expected to deepen local value chains, boost employment in the Oriental region and reinforce Morocco’s role as a strategic industrial gateway between Africa and the EU.
$740m investment anchored by Chinese manufacturer
The factory is being developed by Goldensen Tyre Morocco, a subsidiary of Chinese tyre producer Shandong Yongsheng Rubber Group. Total investment is estimated at 6.7bn dirhams, (about $740 million) making it one of the largest industrial projects ever announced in northeastern Morocco.
The complex will span more than 50 hectares and include production units, storage facilities, logistics infrastructure and on-site research and development centres.
When fully operational, the facility is expected to manufacture up to 18 million tyres annually, covering passenger vehicles, trucks and industrial transport equipment.
Thousands of jobs expected
Authorities say the project will create about 1,700 direct jobs, alongside several thousand indirect positions linked to construction, transport, raw materials and auxiliary services.
Speaking at the launch, Morocco’s Minister Delegate for Investment, Karim Zidane, said the project demonstrated the country’s ability to convert signed investment agreements into tangible industrial assets.
He noted that the factory would contribute to technology transfer, workforce upskilling and regional economic integration, particularly in areas historically less industrialised than the Casablanca–Tangier corridor.
Strategic location boosts export ambitions
Driouch’s proximity to the Nador West Med deep-water port, expected to become one of the Mediterranean’s largest logistics hubs, was a decisive factor in site selection.
The port will provide direct maritime links to southern Europe, West Africa and the eastern Mediterranean, allowing finished products to reach export markets rapidly while lowering transport costs.
Industry analysts say this logistical advantage strengthens Morocco’s attractiveness as manufacturers increasingly prioritise near-shoring and supply chain resilience.
Automotive sector continues rapid expansion
Morocco’s automotive industry has grown into the country’s top export sector, surpassing phosphates and agriculture in recent years. The kingdom hosts major assembly plants operated by Renault Group and Stellantis, alongside hundreds of component suppliers.
The addition of a large-scale tyre manufacturer is expected to reduce import dependence and improve local content ratios, a key requirement for maintaining competitiveness under European trade rules.
According to the Ministry of Industry, automotive exports exceeded $15bn in 2024, with growth continuing into 2025.
Operations targeted for 2027
Construction is expected to continue through 2026, with initial production lines scheduled to begin operations in 2027, according to project developers cited by Africa News Agency.
Once complete, the Driouch facility will be the largest tyre factory on the African continent, reinforcing Morocco’s long-term strategy of positioning itself as a continental manufacturing anchor amid intensifying global competition for industrial investment.
