Atlantic Free Zone in Kenitra: 2026 Setup Guide
A benchmark of Morocco’s automotive industry, the Atlantic Free Zone (AFZ) in Kenitra is one of the country’s most dynamic free zones. Under Industrial Acceleration Zone (ZAI) status, it combines a dense industrial ecosystem, a strategic location on the Atlantic axis and the favourable free zone tax regime. This guide presents the strengths, the applicable regime and the steps to set up in the Kenitra AFZ.
Kenitra, an automotive and electronics hub
Launched in 2012 and spanning around 345 hectares, the Atlantic Free Zone is mainly dedicated to the automotive and electronics sectors. It operates under Industrial Acceleration Zone status for exporting companies and hosts major international suppliers (Saint-Gobain, Sews, Fujikura, Lear, Coficab, among others). The zone houses more than 200,000 m² of installed industrial units and has generated over 10,000 on-site jobs.
An integrated ecosystem
Beyond suppliers, the AFZ targets industrial logistics and support services to industry (maintenance, design offices, business centres), making it an integrated environment for an export value chain.
The Kenitra AFZ tax regime
As an Industrial Acceleration Zone, the AFZ falls under the regime of Law 19-94 and Article 6 of the General Tax Code: full IS exemption for five years, then a permanent reduced rate of 20%, with VAT exemption on locally acquired equipment and services and exemption from import customs duties. The detail is in our guide to the tax benefits of Industrial Acceleration Zones. Certain activities remain excluded (credit, insurance, construction sites).
For which projects?
The AFZ is particularly suited to automotive suppliers, electronics, industrial subcontracting and export-oriented logistics. The activity’s eligibility must be validated with the zone — a key step of the setup study.
The setup process
Setting up in Kenitra follows the logic of a free zone project: validate eligibility, choose the legal form (see our article on the legal structure in a free zone), incorporate the company and obtain the authorisations (CRI, AMDIE), then organise the accounting. Our foreign investor guide details these steps; the Kenitra page presents the zone.
How Cabinet Dami & Associés supports you
Since 1991, Cabinet Dami & Associés has supported manufacturers and investors in Morocco’s free zones. For a project in the Kenitra AFZ, our experts validate eligibility, structure the company and secure accounting and tax compliance. To study your setup, contact our experts.
FAQ — Atlantic Free Zone in Kenitra
Which sectors does the Kenitra AFZ target?
Mainly automotive and electronics, as well as industrial logistics and support services to industry.
What tax regime applies?
The Industrial Acceleration Zone regime: a five-year IS exemption then a reduced rate of 20%, with VAT and customs-duty exemptions.
Is the AFZ reserved for export?
The zone operates under ZAI status for exporting companies; the eligibility of each activity must be confirmed with the zone.
Conclusion
The Atlantic Free Zone in Kenitra offers a mature industrial ecosystem, ideal for automotive, electronics and export logistics, backed by the free zone tax regime. To assess your project, talk to the experts at Cabinet Dami & Associés.
Official source: General Tax Directorate — General Tax Code.
