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Agadir – Morocco’s automotive sector took another step toward strengthening its global competitiveness as the eighth edition of the International Exhibition for Automotive Industry Competitiveness (SCIA 2026) officially opened in Kenitra
Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour chaired the opening ceremony on Wednesday, marking the start of a three-day event organized by the Moroccan Association for the Automotive Industry and Trade (AMICA).
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, this year’s exhibition represents “a strategic turning point” for Morocco’s automotive industry, reflecting the sector’s transition from a model centered on “classical subcontracting” toward one focused on “comprehensive competitiveness.”
The ministry noted that this evolution aligns with the objectives of Morocco’s New Development Model and the global shift toward electric and connected vehicles.
Held from June 24 to 26 in Kenitra, SCIA 2026 brings together more than 200 exhibitors from 12 countries across the entire automotive value chain. Organizers estimate the event will generate investment and business opportunities exceeding MAD 1 billion.
The exhibition serves as a platform for business-to-business meetings, industry conferences, technology showcases, and strategic networking opportunities involving manufacturers, suppliers, subcontractors, investors, and public-sector stakeholders.
In its statement, the ministry emphasized that Kenitra’s hosting of the event reflects the “qualitative transformation achieved by Morocco under the High Royal Vision aimed at building a diversified and competitive national economy.”
Morocco has emerged as Africa’s leading automotive manufacturing hub, with an annual production capacity reaching one million vehicles, supported by a growing ecosystem of manufacturers and suppliers.
The exhibition’s new identity also signals the sector’s changing priorities. Formerly known as the Automotive Subcontracting Exhibition (SSAT), the event was rebranded as SCIA to place competitiveness, innovation, and operational excellence at the center of Morocco’s industrial strategy. Industry stakeholders view the shift as a reflection of the kingdom’s ambition to move higher up the global automotive value chain amid accelerating technological transformation.
Hosted in the Atlantic Free Zone, one of Morocco’s key automotive production clusters, the exhibition highlights emerging trends shaping the industry, including electric mobility, smart manufacturing, robotics, artificial intelligence, and Industry 4.0 technologies. The event also features dedicated spaces for automotive equipment suppliers, startups, logistics providers, and innovation-focused companies.
