Driouch: Launch of Africa’s Largest Tire Complex
Betoya’s Industrial Acceleration Zone Launches Africa’s Largest Tire Manufacturing Complex
On Friday, the Betoya Industrial Acceleration Zone in the Amjoud municipality of Driouch Province officially kicked off construction works for the largest tire manufacturing complex in Africa.
This ambitious project is spearheaded by the Chinese Shandong Yongsheng Rubber Group through its local subsidiary, Goldensun Tire Morocco, with an investment of approximately 6.7 billion dirhams.
The groundbreaking ceremony was presided over by the delegated minister in charge of Investment, Karim Zidane, alongside prominent figures including Mhamed Atfaoui, the wali of the Oriental region, Abdesslam Frindou, the governor of Driouch Province, Mohamed Bouarourou, the president of the regional council, as well as representatives from the Chinese company and other dignitaries.
Spanning a total area of about 52 hectares, the new factory is expected to create around 1,737 direct jobs, along with hundreds of indirect jobs during both the construction and operational phases.
With a strategic location near the Nador West Med Port, offering direct access to European and African markets, this project will also facilitate technology transfer and foster the development of industrial research and innovation through dedicated R&D units. Its production capacity is projected to reach approximately 18 million tires annually.
The new complex, set to be completed by early next year, will feature a fully integrated automotive tire manufacturing plant that meets international standards, as well as industrial research centers and modern logistics infrastructures aimed at exporting to global markets.
During the ceremony, Mr. Zidane emphasized that the laying of the first stone for this factory signifies a key milestone, marking the transition from decision-making to action as this project enters its implementation phase.
“This project is a concrete demonstration that when stakeholders in the investment ecosystem share the same ambition, Morocco can act swiftly and effectively. This is what territorial development in action looks like,” he remarked, highlighting that the Yongsheng project is of strategic industrial significance.
He elaborated that large-scale tire production, adhering to international industrial standards, will enhance the Kingdom’s industrial sovereignty and integrate it into technology-intensive global value chains, noting that this project also conveys a strong message for the Oriental region.
In his remarks, Mr. Atfaoui noted that the Royal Initiative for the Development of the Oriental, launched in 2003 and which has transformed the region across all sectors, has truly served as a launching pad for an ambitious regional policy, reflected through tangible achievements.
This initiative has enabled the region to develop modern infrastructures, efficient logistical equipment, high-quality industrial zones, and various structuring projects, thereby strengthening its strategic positioning and competitiveness on both national and international scales. He emphasized that this momentum has been greatly enhanced by the grand port project at Nador West Med, which acts as a catalyst for regional development.
Moreover, the wali stressed the strategic importance of the new Investment Charter as a structuring tool aimed at addressing regional challenges and supporting the development of high-potential sectors (industry, digital economy, and tourism), considering this Charter a fundamental lever to fully capitalize on the opportunities presented by the Nador West Med port, whose operational launch is expected soon.
