Rabat: From Casablanca to Tangier, Morocco’s aerospace industry is thriving, largely due to the ‘aircraft engines’ industrial complex of the Safran Group. Construction work on this pivotal project was launched on Monday by His Majesty the King in Nouaceur, marking a significant milestone in Morocco’s journey to becoming a trusted global partner in the aviation sector.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, Morocco’s aerospace industry aligns closely with the Kingdom’s strategic goals in sustainability and innovation. By embracing the principles of Industry 4.0, optimizing processes, digitizing production lines, and reducing carbon footprints, Morocco is keeping pace with global aerospace challenges. In less than 25 years, under the enlightened vision of His Majesty the King, Morocco has constructed a world-class aerospace platform, integrating itself into a select group of aerospace nations.
The story of Morocco’s aerospace industry dates back to 1958 when Royal Air Maroc inaugurated maintenance workshops in Casablanca, laying the foundation for national expertise in aerospace maintenance. In 1999, driven by a royal initiative to diversify the national economy, Royal Air Maroc partnered with Snecma (now Safran) to establish Snecma Morocco Engine Services, which evolved into Safran Aircraft Engine Services Morocco. This collaboration marked the beginning of Morocco’s journey into aerospace manufacturing.
The creation of MATIS Aerospace in 2001, a joint venture between Safran, Boeing, and Royal Air Maroc, marked Morocco’s entry into aerospace manufacturing. This venture focused on producing harnesses and wiring systems, integrating Morocco into the supply chain of the world’s largest manufacturers and establishing a competitive industrial base.
In 2004, the launch of the Emergence Plan elevated aerospace to a national priority, positioning Morocco as a reliable partner for major international contractors. The establishment of the Grouping of Moroccan Aeronautical and Space Industries (GIMAS) further supported the development of the Moroccan aerospace platform.
Throughout the years, various branches of Safran, such as Safran Electrical and Power Morocco and Safran Nacelles Morocco, have reinforced Morocco’s aerospace capabilities. The National Pact for Industrial Emergence, launched in 2009, solidified Morocco’s commitment to making aerospace a strategic lever for industrial development, with institutions like the Institute of Aeronautical Professions and the Specialized Institute of Aeronautics and Airport Logistics playing crucial roles in developing human capital.
Midparc Casablanca, inaugurated in 2013, symbolizes Morocco’s integrated vision for modern infrastructure and economic attractiveness. This industrial acceleration zone hosts major aerospace giants such as Safran, Spirit Aerosystems, Hexcel, Airbus, Pratt and Whitney, and Thales.
The Industrial Acceleration Plan of 2014 aimed to build on previous achievements and propel the aerospace sector towards new horizons, focusing on local integration and developing a competitive national supply chain. In 2016, a landmark agreement with Boeing established an industrial ecosystem designed to attract Boeing’s main suppliers to Morocco.
Recent years have seen the expansion of existing stakeholders and the entry of new ones, while significant contracts, such as the one between Sabca and Pilatus in 2021, have further solidified Morocco’s position in the global aerospace market. In 2022, Collins Aerospace’s agreement to develop a Moroccan sourcing ecosystem demonstrated continued confidence in the Kingdom’s aerospace platform.
In 2023, the creation of the Safran ecosystem marked another milestone in Morocco’s aerospace journey, aiming to accelerate the development of a competitive supply chain and strengthen high-tech activities. A memorandum of understanding between Morocco and Safran was signed, underlining Morocco’s commitment to becoming a hub for aircraft engine maintenance and repair.
These strategic investments have transformed Morocco’s aerospace industry, which now boasts over 150 companies, more than 24,000 skilled jobs, and a local integration rate exceeding 40%. In 2024, the sector’s export revenue reached MAD 26.4 billion, underscoring the robust growth and success of Morocco’s aerospace ecosystem.