Rabat: In a significant development for Morocco’s industrial landscape, the Safran Group has commenced construction on a new aircraft engine industrial complex in Nouaceur. The announcement was made during a ceremony presided over by HM King Mohammed VI. CEO Andri¨s highlighted the strategic decision to establish the complex in Morocco, citing the nation’s skilled workforce and modern infrastructure. The move aligns with Morocco’s ambition to become a globally competitive industrial platform.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, Safran’s Moroccan facilities are integral to the company’s global production and maintenance operations. The new complex will focus on the LEAP engine, a cutting-edge model powering contemporary Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Since its debut in 2016, the engine has been installed in over 4,000 aircraft globally, with more than 11,500 units on order.
Andri¨s emphasized the Safran Group’s challenge of building a global assembly and maintenance network for the expanding LEAP engine fleet. The new Moroccan installation, expected to employ over 600 people and maintain 150 engines annually, will play a crucial role in this effort. Its strategic location near Africa, the Middle East, and Europe is seen as advantageous for meeting airline demands.
The CEO also noted Morocco’s historical significance to Safran, recalling the establishment of the first engine maintenance workshop in 1999 in partnership with Royal Air Maroc. This facility supported the CFM56 engine, the world’s best-selling aircraft engine, and has grown into a recognized center of expertise over 25 years.
Additionally, the complex will feature an assembly line for the LEAP engine, the largest outside France, capable of assembling up to 350 engines annually for the Airbus A320neo family. This development symbolizes the ongoing partnership between Safran and Morocco, focused on cultivating an aeronautical industrial ecosystem driven by talent development and collaboration with local institutions.
Safran plans to recruit 2,000 individuals across all its Moroccan sites within five years. The company is committed to advancing aeronautical training in Morocco, having contributed to the creation of the Institute of Aeronautical Professions (IMA) in 2011 and launching a Safran university in 2023.
Furthermore, Safran aims to bolster its Moroccan supply chain and encourage French suppliers to establish a presence in the country. Sustainability is a key priority, with plans to power most Safran sites with renewable energy by 2026, supported by a memorandum of understanding.
Andri¨s concluded by affirming the favorable conditions for Safran’s continued growth in Morocco. The current projects and expansions at three additional sites represent an investment exceeding £350 million, poised to generate thousands of jobs within Morocco’s aeronautical ecosystem.