This new investment demonstrates the growing strategic importance of Morocco in the international automotive industry, confirming its central role in the development of innovative and sustainable solutions.
The city of Agadir is the new destination for global leaders in the automotive industry. Indeed, the Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch and the COO of the Leoni Group, a global leader in wiring systems for the automotive industry, inaugurated a new Leoni production unit in Agadir on Monday, January 20, 2025. The inauguration ceremony, presided over by the Head of Government, took place in the presence of government members and high-ranking officials, notably Younes Sekkouri, Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills; Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Trade; Karim Zidane, Minister Delegate in charge of Investment, Convergence and Evaluation of Public Policies; Said Amzazi, Wali of the Souss-Massa region; and Karim Achengli, President of the Souss-Massa Regional Council. This inauguration represents a key step in the implementation of the memorandum of understanding concluded between the Leoni Group and the Moroccan government, aiming for the realization of six capital projects in the automotive sector. These investments, totaling more than 932 million dirhams, are distributed across several regions of the Kingdom, with a significant impact expected on the local economy.
Ultimately, these projects will generate the creation of 7,100 new direct jobs by 2027, thus contributing to the consolidation of Morocco's industrial fabric and the stimulation of employment in the automotive sector, with positive repercussions on the entire national economic sector. "Such an investment is likely to strengthen our country's position on the global map of the automotive industry, and the confidence of the German Leoni Group confirms the dynamism and growth that this sector is experiencing in Morocco, thanks to the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, making the Kingdom a destination of choice for global leaders in the automotive sector. This project will also strengthen Agadir's position as a new industrial hub, given the potential this city has in terms of modern industrial and logistical infrastructure, in addition to a vocational training system that adapts to the needs of companies. We are convinced that the prospects are bright both for Leoni and for the national automotive ecosystem as a whole," declares Aziz Akhannouch, Head of Government.
Ambitious investment
The new Leoni production unit in Agadir, the result of an ambitious investment of 230 million dirhams, is located in the heart of the Souss-Massa Industrial Acceleration Zone (ZAI).
Spanning 7.6 hectares, of which more than 19,000 m² are dedicated to production, this unit will have a major impact on the local economy. It will allow for the creation of more than 3,000 direct jobs by 2027, bringing the total number of jobs at Leoni in Morocco to 19,000.
Furthermore, this establishment will bring the number of the group's production units in the Kingdom to 11, reinforcing its position as a leader in the automotive sector. As part of its expansion, Leoni has implemented customized training programs to support its employees in developing their skills. These initiatives include technical training specifically designed to meet production requirements, as well as seminars focused on team leadership.
These actions illustrate Leoni's desire to promote operational excellence while fully valuing human potential within the company. This ultramodern production site is dedicated to the manufacture of wiring for commercial vehicles, including heavy goods vehicles, powertrains, and off-road vehicles. Designed to meet the strict standards of international markets such as Germany, France, Italy, and Japan, it is distinguished by its ability to produce limited series of highly complex wiring, perfectly adapted to the commercial vehicle segment. Thanks to this expertise, Leoni asserts itself as a key player in the sector, capable of meeting the specific needs of its clients on a global scale.
Technological innovation
"Our establishment in Agadir reflects a strategic decision that testifies to our long-term commitment to Morocco and its rapidly growing region. This approach illustrates our conviction in the country's potential, as well as in the dynamism of the African continent, and confirms our ability to transform our commitments into concrete actions. It allows us to strengthen our competitiveness in the commercial vehicle sector while deploying intelligent processes within our global production network.
Leoni Operating Systems (LOS), the true backbone of our production, is used at our Leoni Agadir site as a pilot site for automotive and industrial applications. It offers a wide range of functionalities for data management and processes related to the production of wiring harnesses, among other applications. LOS integrates harmoniously with Leoni's industrial processes to improve productivity, optimize production flows, and support the management of complex manufacturing systems. It includes advanced modules for real-time monitoring, reporting, and other essential tools for Leoni's operations. Thanks to this new orientation focused on the technological innovation of our production processes, we aim to sustainably improve our flexibility. We are determined to grow faster than the market in the commercial vehicle segment in the coming years, focusing on a strategy oriented towards excellence in quality, optimal cost, and compliant delivery," declares Ingo Spengler, member of the Executive Board & COO of Leoni. This flagship project embodies a major advance in terms of digitalization, efficiency, and sustainability in Leoni's global production network.
The factory's design is based on fully digitally interconnected processes, ensuring increased flexibility and precision. Furthermore, the use of energy-efficient technologies illustrates a strong commitment to sustainability, aligned with Morocco's national ambitions for a significant reduction in the carbon footprint. This new investment demonstrates the growing strategic importance of Morocco in the international automotive industry, confirming its central role in the development of innovative and sustainable solutions. The choice of Agadir for the installation of the new Leoni site is explained by its strategic location in the center of Morocco, close to key logistical infrastructure, including the port and motorway axes. The region also benefits from an industrial ecosystem in full development thanks to the Industrial Acceleration Plan (PAI), as well as attractive incentive measures, particularly in terms of land and employment support.
Rich ecosystem
Moreover, the region has an ecosystem rich in skills with local training schools and universities, ensuring qualified human capital.
These favorable conditions ensure sustainable growth and optimization of operations for Leoni, while contributing to local economic dynamism.
"The inauguration of our new site in Agadir marks a key step in our development strategy in Morocco, symbolizing our long-term commitment to the Kingdom. By choosing to settle in this region, we actively participate in the local economic dynamism while strengthening innovation and excellence in the automotive technology sector. This site, which will generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, testifies to our desire to support the industrial growth of the Souss-Massa region and contribute to the rise of the Moroccan automotive industry.
The Agadir region offers not only highly qualified and available human capital, but also considerable growth potential thanks to the modern infrastructure and ample space available at the site. This creates an environment conducive to innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness, allowing Leoni to position itself as a key player in the development of the automotive industry in Morocco and on international markets," declares Fakhri Bouguerra, General Manager of Leoni Morocco. He adds: "This new investment goes far beyond the industrial aspect: Leoni is fully committed to local communities by implementing concrete civic actions in essential areas such as education, community development, and philanthropy. This commitment is part of our desire to contribute sustainably to improving the well-being of local populations, by promoting inclusive and responsible growth that benefits the entire region." By investing in this new production unit, Leoni strengthens its presence in Morocco and consolidates its contribution to the development of the Moroccan automotive industry.
This installation in Agadir also marks a key step in the industrial attractiveness of the Souss-Massa region and confirms the place of the Souss-Massa region as a hub of industrial excellence, creating economic opportunities, strengthening local skills, and positioning Agadir on the global value chain.
Agadir acquires a new dry port. Logistics
A memorandum of understanding for the realization of the Agadir Atlantic Hub dry port was signed on Monday in Agadir, during a ceremony presided over by the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch. This document was signed by the President of the Souss-Massa Regional Council, Karim Achengli; the General Manager of the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG), Khalid Safir; the General Manager of the Moroccan Agency for Logistics Development, Ghassane El Machrafi; the General Manager of the National Ports Agency, Mustapha Farès; and the President of the Supervisory Board of the Tanger-Med Special Agency, Fouad Brini. Spanning an area of 100 ha, within the export free zone in the commune of Drarga, the future Agadir dry port, which is the largest logistics project in the Souss-Massa region, is composed of storage and packaging zones, a space for empty and full containers, and a zone reserved for administrative and customs services. In a statement to MAP on the sidelines of this ceremony, the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, emphasized that the project for the realization of the Agadir Atlantic Hub dry port is part of a series of projects aimed at strengthening infrastructure in Souss-Massa. This infrastructure is capable of promoting economic and social development at the regional level, in accordance with the High directives of HM King Mohammed VI, noted Mr. Kayouh. Furthermore, the new Drarga 3 industrial zone was inaugurated over 27.11 ha, in addition to the presentation of a new glove production factory for the company "Meditech Gloves" for a total investment of 461 million dirhams.
Leoni in Morocco: Major employer
Established since 1971, Leoni in Morocco produces solutions and services for energy and data management in several industrial sectors, including automotive. In addition to its role as a major industrial employer in the country with 16,000 people across 10 production sites and a recognized employer brand, Leoni has highlighted 3 essential values: respect, tolerance, and benevolence in all its industrial sites. The company continues its efforts today in the development of "Made in Morocco". Its mission is to contribute to advancing national industrial sovereignty. Leoni is part of the social reforms launched in Morocco, the most important of which is the promotion of collective labor agreements. Leoni is a global supplier of products, solutions, and services for energy and data management in the automotive industry. Its value chain encompasses standardized cables, special cables, and data cables, as well as highly complex wiring systems and their associated components, ranging from development to production. As an innovation partner with deep expertise in system development and design, Leoni supports its clients in the transition towards increasingly sustainable and connected mobility concepts, whether it concerns autonomous driving, alternative powertrains, or charging systems. To this end, Leoni designs next-generation wiring solutions and systems, aiming to reduce complexity and enable higher levels of automation, notably through zonal architectures. The group employs approximately 95,000 employees in 26 countries and achieved a consolidated turnover of 5.5 billion euros in 2023.
