Morocco positions itself as potential uranium supplier to France

Morocco’s state-owned OCP is discussing a partnership with French energy groups EDF and Orano to produce and supply uranium concentrate, potentially making Morocco a new source of nuclear fuel for France. The talks could deepen energy ties between the countries as France seeks to diversify supply after purchases from Niger stopped following the 2023 coup.

Production could begin from 2028 at a planned facility near OCP’s industrial complex at Jorf Lasfar, using uranium recovered from phosphate rock. OCP says improved technology may make extraction profitable, and a small-scale trial was reportedly successful; however, the plans remain tentative, with a similar proposal abandoned in 2007. OCP’s target for phosphoric acid production by 2030 is enough to supply fuel for about 15 nuclear power plants.