On October 23, Dentons Morocco announced the launch of its new China division, marking a pivotal moment in its mission to assist businesses with their investment projects and commercial partnerships in Morocco and across Africa. This initiative comes in response to the growing demand from Chinese companies eager to establish themselves on the African continent, benefiting from specialized legal expertise.
The new China Desk is launching at a time when Chinese investments in key sectors—such as automotive, infrastructure, and renewable energy—are surging. Dentons sees this as a prime opportunity for businesses to grow and innovate in Morocco and the broader region. The China Desk will serve as a central contact point, offering tailored legal support to meet the unique needs of Chinese companies operating in Africa.
This expansion aligns with Morocco’s strategic involvement in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which the country embraced in 2017. By participating in the BRI, Morocco has positioned itself as a key gateway for Chinese investments in Africa. Dentons highlights this strategic positioning as crucial for attracting further investment into the country, creating a bridge for Chinese businesses to tap into the African market.
A flagship example of this growing dynamic is the installation of Gotion High-Tech’s gigafactory for electric vehicle batteries—a massive $6.4 billion investment. Dentons Morocco played a critical role in the legal structuring of this transaction, providing essential support that helped bring the project to fruition. This investment not only underscores the increasing interest of Chinese firms in the Moroccan market but also showcases Dentons’ expertise in navigating complex, high-value transactions.
Leading the new China Desk is Xiaolei Zhang, an expert in energy, infrastructure, and public relations, who brings extensive multicultural experience. Her goal is to offer personalized guidance to clients across various sectors, including public-private partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, and tax advisory. With such expertise, Dentons Morocco’s China Desk is well-positioned to support Chinese companies in their African ventures, reinforcing the growing economic ties between Morocco and China.
In conclusion, the launch of Dentons Morocco’s China division is a strategic move that will ease Chinese companies’ entry into African markets, while highlighting Morocco’s key role in fostering new investment opportunities. By offering specialized legal services, the firm is set to play a crucial part in this evolving investment landscape.
