A First for Morocco: Toward Mastering the Nuclear Fuel Cycle
This upcoming facility, the first of its kind in the Kingdom, will produce yellowcake, a strategic material. Yellowcake is a fine yellow powder obtained from the processing of uranium ore. It is a key intermediate substance in the production of nuclear fuel, which is then used in reactors to generate electricity.
With this project, Morocco takes a decisive technological leap by entering a sector traditionally reserved for a select group of nations. It reflects the country’s ambition to master advanced technologies related to clean energy and energy security.
Yellowcake: At the Core of Future Energy
But what exactly is yellowcake? This uranium concentrate, in the form of a fine yellow powder, is extracted from uranium-rich rocks, often found in phosphate deposits—a field in which Morocco holds some of the largest reserves in the world. Yellowcake is then processed into enriched uranium, used in nuclear power plants to produce low-carbon energy.
Through this initiative, Morocco is placing itself at the forefront of the global energy transition, integrating civil nuclear power into its energy mix, alongside solar, wind, and hydropower.
A Transformational Project Led by OCP
The project’s credibility is strengthened by the leadership of OCP Group, a strategic economic player in Morocco and a global heavyweight in the phosphate industry. By leveraging its natural resources, industrial expertise, and local presence in ElJadida, OCP is reinforcing its transformation into a technology-driven, energy-focused, and sustainable group.
This initiative is part of a broader national strategy aiming to make Morocco a leading African hub for advanced energy technologies, while reinforcing the country’s energy independence.
Morocco: A Pioneer of Clean and Advanced Energy in Africa
The launch of this first yellowcake production site is more than just an industrial project—it is a foundational step, marking Morocco’s official entry into the peaceful civil nuclear era, in compliance with international safety and transparency standards.
At a time when the world is striving to cut emissions and diversify energy sources, Morocco is proving that it is not just keeping up—it is leading the way.
Editorial team/le7tv