Report: Morocco’s green minerals boom may entrap nation in global power struggle

Morocco’s fast-growing green minerals sector is attracting billions of dollars in foreign investment, particularly from Chinese companies, but a new report warns the boom could leave the country locked into a subordinate role in the global race for control over the green economy.

The report, published by the International Institute, cautions that while Morocco’s surge in lithium, cobalt and other green mineral projects appears promising, the trend may entrench the country as a raw materials supplier in the ongoing geopolitical contest between China and the West.

China remains the dominant force in global critical minerals markets, while the United States and Europe are working to reduce their reliance on Chinese supply chains. Morocco’s free trade agreements with both the U.S. and the EU have made it an attractive destination for Chinese firms seeking to circumvent trade barriers.

According to the report, Morocco’s current model focuses more on marketing itself as a global investment hub than building a resilient, domestic green industry. “Rather than being a step toward national green transition goals, the boom appears largely shaped by state and corporate efforts to secure Morocco’s position in the shifting dynamics of global capitalism,” the authors wrote.

Despite hopes that mineral wealth will accelerate industrialization, the report highlights persistent structural issues. The country lacks strong technology transfer frameworks and remains dependent on foreign capital. The economic benefits, it notes, are disproportionately concentrated among elites, while affected communities often receive only short-term construction jobs and bear the brunt of environmental degradation.

Local protests have already erupted in mineral-rich regions, with residents voicing concerns over land loss, water scarcity, and deforestation tied to mining activity.

The report concludes that unless Morocco reorients its mineral strategy toward supporting domestic industries and regional supply chains, the country may remain on the lower rungs of the global value chain — regardless of how “green” its exports appear.