Rabat-Sale-Kenitra
15.3% of GDP; 5.13M population (2024); capital/admin center; Stellantis 400k cars/year; 0.7% growth (2023, lowest); civil service economy.
Rabat-Salé-Kénitra contributes 15.3% of Morocco's GDP, home to 5.13 million people (2024 census). Rabat serves as Morocco's capital since French protectorate (1912) and administrative center—civil servants dominate employment. The Atlantic Free Zone at Kenitra attracts automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and aerospace manufacturing. Stellantis committed to doubling Kénitra capacity to 400,000 cars/year; 200,000 engines manufactured there. Smurfit Kappa builds first Moroccan plant in Rabat ($3.5M). 600,000 cars assembled annually for export. The region spans Morocco's northwest coast between Casablanca and Tangier. Textile production includes carpets and blankets. However, 2023 growth was just 0.7%—among Morocco's lowest—as the region depends less on export-oriented manufacturing than Tangier or Casablanca. Morocco targets 3.6% GDP growth in 2025, with unemployment at 13.4% (2024) expected to drop to 12.6%.