The Moroccan Institute of Strategic Intelligence (IMIS) published this Monday, April 25, 2022, a Policy Paper entitled “What future positioning for the Moroccan automotive industry? “. In this study, the authors analyze the effects of digital, ecological and societal transformations on the global automotive industry, accelerated both by the post-pandemic context and the geopolitical reconfiguration at work.
Morocco has succeeded in the challenge of developing its automobile industry. Over the past ten years, the country has clearly distinguished itself through the particularly remarkable performance of its automotive sector, which has reached sustained levels of growth. Today, thanks to its geographical position and its stability, Morocco is undeniably the spearhead of the automobile industry on the continent. Today, it is the most popular production and export platform for automotive equipment and vehicles in Africa by renowned foreign groups such as RENAULT, SNOP, GMD, BAMESA, DELPHI, YAZAKI, SEWS, SAINT- GOBAIN and more recently PSA Peugeot Citroën.
As a strategic sector in the national industrial policy, the automotive industry has generated double-digit annual growth since the 2000s in terms of job creation and exports. According to the Ministry of Industry, the sector recruited between 2014 and 2019 more than 147.72 people. In 2021, it made a turnover of more than 83.8 billion DHS for export.
However, like all sectors, it is impossible to escape the effects of the societal transformations of the world supported by digital, ecology and today reinforced by the current dual health and geopolitical crisis. Which therefore justifies any questioning regarding the future positioning of the Automotive Industry?
It is precisely to answer this question that Moroccan researchers wanted to investigate the Moroccan automotive sector by drawing up the balance sheet and the prospects.
“What positioning for the Moroccan Automotive Industry? »
Engaging in a holistic analysis of the sector, the IMIS report published under the direction of Professor Ahmed Azirar, director of research within the institute, Ms. Hafsa El Bekri, teacher-researcher in international economics and Hicham Sebti, teacher-researcher in management analyzes the effects of digital, ecological and societal transformations on the global automotive industry, accelerated both by the post-pandemic context and the geopolitical reconfiguration at work.
The authors of this Policy Paper propose a multidimensional analysis grid combining strategic issues relating to post-Covid-19 mutations, ecological transition, digital transformation and inclusive development, and operational dimensions related to the organization of production, financing, training and support measures for the sector.
Health crisis, competitiveness, digital and inclusive development, the sector facing its challenges.
In relation to the post-Covid-19 recovery, IMIS experts call for strengthening the economic resilience of the Moroccan automotive industry and rethinking Morocco’s positioning in the new regional structuring of value chains. Faced with the challenge of carbon-free economic competitiveness, the report identifies the motorization / energy mixes to be favored by manufacturers established in Morocco to position the country as a “front-runner” at the global level and thus establish it as an EU-Med-Mediterranean junction platform. Africa on energy and environmental issues.
The authors of this study also identify a window of opportunity relating to the digital transformation of the sector, in particular the opportunities for investment in research and development presented by the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel, a country considered as a laboratory of automotive industry of the future.
Another challenge for this industry: the emergence of private equity in Morocco. In this wake, the report highlights the need to strengthen the inclusive development of the sector and increase its industrial sovereignty.
