Under the esteemed patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, the city of Kenitra will host the eighth edition of the International Exhibition for Automotive Industry Competitiveness (SCIA) from June 24 to 26, 2026. This event is organized by the Moroccan Association of Automotive Industry and Assembly (AMICA) and will feature 170 exhibitors from 12 countries, with expectations of generating a turnover close to one billion dirhams for various components of the industrial ecosystem.
This edition follows the success of the Tanger event in 2023, marking a significant milestone in enhancing the competitiveness of the automotive industry in Morocco. It also supports the transition towards a new generation of electric and connected vehicles, aligning with the transformations occurring in global value chains within this strategic sector.
The renaming of the exhibition from "Automotive Sector Subcontracting Exhibition" (SSAT) to "International Exhibition for Automotive Industry Competitiveness" (SCIA) signifies a shift in vision and objectives. The focus has evolved from merely subcontracting to establishing Moroccan companies as capable industrial partners that foster innovation, add value, and enhance local integration.
Kenitra provides a strategic venue for participants due to its location within an integrated industrial framework that includes the Atlantic Free Zone and Stellantis factories, along with its proximity to the automotive manufacturing hub in Tangier. This setup offers economic players greater opportunities for direct communication with manufacturers and suppliers, facilitating the development of new partnerships.
Morocco continues to solidify its position as one of the leading continental hubs in automotive manufacturing, thanks to an industrial ecosystem comprising over 260 automotive parts and equipment factories, as well as three major vehicle manufacturing units. This sector provides more than 280,000 direct and indirect jobs, demonstrating the robust employment potential within this industry.
The local integration rate in the sector stands at approximately 69%, with an annual production capacity reaching one million vehicles and exports exceeding 15 billion euros. This reflects the growing presence of the kingdom in global value chains and the confidence of international manufacturers in Moroccan industry.
The 2026 edition is anticipated to attract various segments of the industrial value chain, featuring companies specialized in engineering and studies, manufacturing equipment and parts, transportation and logistics, industrial supply, specialized machinery, packaging, and testing organizations, alongside startups and innovation and vocational training centers.
The event is expected to see international participation from 12 countries including Morocco, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, China, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Sri Lanka, and Tunisia, further highlighting Morocco's increasing appeal as a regional automotive manufacturing platform.
In this context, Badr Hammoudi, the president of the International Exhibition for Automotive Industry Competitiveness, emphasized that relocating the event to Kenitra aligns with the policy of proximity to national industrial hubs. He stressed that the goal is to elevate Moroccan companies from a "secondary subcontractor" position to a "competitive and innovative" industrial player capable of meeting the new demands of major global manufacturers.
He noted that the previous edition achieved significant results, gathering over 500 professionals and recording a satisfaction rate of around 69%. The 2026 edition aims to transform business meetings into tangible industrial partnerships and contracts.
The eighth edition is expected to mobilize investments and business opportunities exceeding one billion dirhams, particularly in vital areas including logistics services, industrial tools and equipment, plastic injection and molding techniques, maintenance, and packaging, thereby enhancing the development of a more competitive and integrated Moroccan automotive ecosystem in line with global transformations.
As reported by ar.industries.ma.
