Gotion in Kénitra: A Railway Connection in Preparation
Morocco Advances in Infrastructure Preparation for Gotion High-Tech’s Industrial Establishment in Kénitra
Morocco is entering a new phase in preparing the infrastructure to support the industrial establishment of Gotion High-Tech in Kénitra. Two draft decrees published in the Official Bulletin on October 7, 2026, aim to declare the lands necessary for the railway connection of the Chinese battery group’s factory to the national network as being of public utility.
The texts relate to a stretch of the line connecting Casablanca to Sidi Kacem, specifically between the kilometer points 153+900 and 155+350. They provide for the expropriation of the land required for this service, which spans across the municipality of Ameur Seflia in the Kénitra province and the municipality of Sidi Yahya El Gharb in the Sidi Slimane province.
The total area affected amounts to 16,193 square meters, or about 1.62 hectares. This land operation is intended to prepare a direct rail link to Gotion’s industrial site, situated in the Atlantic Free Zone.
Over 16,000 m² Involved in the Land Operation
The two draft decrees list four plots necessary for the railway connection. In Ameur Seflia, the area involved is 5,642 square meters, while in Sidi Yahya El Gharb, the concerned lands total 10,551 square meters.
The plots are divided between two property titles. Three of them pertain to title number 70/9129 and belong to the soulaliyate community of Chnafna, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior. The fourth, covering an area of 181 square meters, is registered under property title number R/33242 and is owned by private individuals.
The drafts specify that the targeted lands are delineated on parcel plans attached to the texts. Their publication opens an administrative investigation aimed at gathering observations and statements from affected individuals.
This investigation will take place over two months from the publication of the drafts in the Official Bulletin, as stipulated by the administrative notices.
ONCF Responsible for the Expropriation Procedure
The texts appoint the National Office of Railways (ONCF) as the beneficiary of this initiative. They stipulate that the right of expropriation be granted to ONCF for the areas required for the project.
This operation is framed within Moroccan legal provisions regarding expropriation for public utility and temporary occupation, notably law n° 7-81 and its implementing decree. The drafts also reference regulations governing the organization and operation of the national railway network.
The procedure must adhere to the established administrative steps, including reviewing the feedback received during the investigation. The publication of the draft decrees should not be confused with their final adoption.
The proposed connection would further integrate Gotion’s industrial site into the national railway network. However, the exact characteristics and timeline for implementing the branch line are not detailed in the published documents.
Gotion Strengthens Its Position in Kénitra’s Free Zone
This land initiative coincides with the development of Gotion High-Tech within the Atlantic Free Zone, one of the primary industrial areas in the Kénitra region.
The same edition of the Official Bulletin also reports the transfer of Gotion Power Morocco’s headquarters to the group’s Gigafactory, located in the Atlantic Free Industrial Zone on National Road No. 4 in the municipality of Ameur Seflia.
This decision was made during an extraordinary general assembly held on July 2, 2026, prior to the submission of the file on September 21. As a result, the company’s headquarters is now situated directly within its industrial site.
This administrative advancement comes at a time when the necessary infrastructures for servicing the complex are undergoing specific initiatives. The projected railway connection could enhance the logistics operations of the site, assuming the branch line is effectively realized.
Rail Service Enhancing Industrial Logistics
For large industrial projects, access to transportation infrastructure is a crucial component in the organization of goods flows. A connection to the railway network can provide a complementary solution to road transport, particularly for significant volumes and regular supplies.
In the case of Gotion, the draft decrees primarily focus on securing the necessary land for the connection. They do not, by themselves, determine the volumes that could be transported by rail, the anticipated logistical savings, or the commissioning dates.
The continuation of the administrative process and any related announcements regarding the construction will clarify how the connection will be implemented.
