Casablanca – Morocco is increasingly consolidating its position as one of the leading aerospace manufacturing centers in Africa, drawing growing interest from international investors and industrial groups seeking to diversify their supply chains and expand production capacity. This trend was recently highlighted in a report by the French weekly magazine Le Point, which described the country as a pioneer in the development of the aerospace industry on the African continent.

According to the publication, Morocco has gradually built a competitive aerospace ecosystem over the past two decades, combining skilled labor, expanding industrial infrastructure and a strategic geographic location linking Europe, Africa and the Middle East. These advantages have helped position the country as an attractive base for global aerospace manufacturers seeking to strengthen resilience in their supply chains following disruptions experienced in recent years.

The report noted that Moroccan authorities have been actively working to reinforce the kingdom’s role as a regional industrial hub for aviation manufacturing. This strategy focuses on attracting international manufacturers, supporting specialized training programs and developing industrial zones dedicated to high-value sectors such as aeronautics, automotive production and advanced engineering.

One of the latest examples of this industrial expansion is a new manufacturing project announced by the French aerospace and defense group Safran. The company recently unveiled plans to build a factory dedicated to the production of aircraft landing-gear systems in the Nouaceur industrial zone near Casablanca. The project launch ceremony was chaired in February by Mohammed VI, in the presence of Ross McInnes.

The new facility will strengthen Morocco’s existing aerospace industrial base, particularly in the Casablanca region, where several international manufacturers have already established operations. The project will complement existing activities related to the assembly and maintenance of aircraft engines, including facilities working on the CFM-LEAP engine family.

This expansion forms part of Safran’s broader industrial strategy aimed at supporting the increasing production rate of the Airbus A320 aircraft program. As demand for single-aisle aircraft continues to grow globally, aerospace suppliers are seeking to expand manufacturing capacity closer to major production hubs and strategic markets.

The new plant will focus on the manufacturing of landing-gear components and related hydraulic systems used in short- and medium-range aircraft. Landing-gear technology represents a critical and high-value component in aircraft manufacturing, as its structural strength directly affects aircraft weight, payload capacity and operational range. For this reason, such systems require advanced engineering capabilities and strict operational reliability.

Morocco’s geographic proximity to Europe was also highlighted in the report as an important advantage for aerospace production. Components manufactured in Casablanca can be transported quickly to European assembly lines. For example, industrial equipment completed at the end of the week can be shipped by truck across the Mediterranean via ferry through the Strait of Gibraltar and arrive within a few days at assembly plants in Toulouse, France, where Airbus operates major aircraft production lines.

Industry executives have also emphasized the strong relationship that has developed between Morocco and international aerospace manufacturers over the years. According to Olivier Andriès, recent projects involving the creation of a LEAP engine assembly line and a maintenance center in Casablanca reflect the solid partnership and mutual confidence between Safran and Morocco. He also noted that the country now plays a strategic role within the company’s global industrial network.

The upcoming landing-gear production facility is expected to become operational by 2029 and will ultimately create around 500 specialized jobs. In addition to direct employment, the project will include a major training program developed in cooperation with local institutions and industry partners to strengthen technical skills and prepare a qualified workforce capable of supporting the growth of the aerospace sector.

Safran’s presence in Morocco dates back more than two decades and reflects the long-term development of the country’s aviation industry. Today the group employs approximately 5,000 people across 10 industrial sites in the country. One of its key subsidiaries, Safran Aircraft Engine Services Morocco, established in 1999, was the first aerospace company to set up operations in Morocco. Since then, it has developed into a major center of excellence specializing in the maintenance of CFM56 aircraft engines used widely in commercial aviation.

The continued expansion of aerospace activities illustrates Morocco’s broader ambition to become a major manufacturing platform linking Europe and Africa. Over the past decade, the country has attracted numerous international companies operating in aircraft components, engineering services and maintenance operations.

With new investments, expanding training programs and increasing integration into global supply chains, Morocco’s aerospace sector is expected to continue growing in the coming years. Analysts believe that the combination of competitive production costs, modern industrial infrastructure and geographic proximity to major aviation markets will likely reinforce the country’s position as a key aerospace hub on the African continent.