Significant Growth in Morocco's Aviation Sector
The Moroccan aviation industry is experiencing a remarkable surge, with projections indicating that exports could exceed $5 billion within the next two years. This is a substantial increase from approximately $3 billion recorded last year, driven by a surge in investments, rising global demand, and the kingdom's transition towards higher value-added industrial and technological activities. As of the end of August, aviation exports totaled around 30 billion dirhams (approximately $3 billion), marking an impressive annual growth rate of 21.5%. This performance places the aviation sector at the forefront of Morocco's export industries, with current export levels matching the entire output of the sector for the previous year, according to data from the Bureau of Exchange.
Mohamed Belatiq, the head of the Moroccan Aerospace Industries Association (GIMAS), remarked that the sector currently encompasses about 150 companies, having expanded two and a half times over the past decade. The industry provides around 25,000 jobs, with women representing 40% of the workforce. Major global players such as Boeing, Airbus, and Safran are significant contributors to the sector, engaging in the production of aircraft parts and assembly, thereby positioning Morocco as a vital link in the global value chain of the aviation industry.
Advancements in High-Value Manufacturing
The Moroccan aviation ecosystem has evolved beyond merely manufacturing aircraft components to encompass the production of systems, wiring, systems integration, and engine maintenance and assembly. According to Mr. Mshrif, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, recent projects, particularly in engines and landing systems, reflect the sector's transition towards activities with higher technological and value-added components. Morocco is gradually transforming from a mere industrial base into a technological partner within global value chains.
This transformation is exemplified by the expansion of French aerospace giant Safran, which launched a comprehensive aircraft engine project in October 2025 in the Nouasseur area near Casablanca. This facility includes an assembly and testing plant for the LEAP-1A engines, as well as a maintenance and repair shop for LEAP engines, with an annual production capacity of 350 engines and maintenance capability for 150 engines. The total investment for these projects exceeds €350 million. In February 2026, Safran reinforced its presence with an additional investment of over €280 million to establish a new plant for aircraft landing systems in Nouasseur, expected to create 500 jobs upon reaching operational capacity. This site will include precision manufacturing, assembly, testing, certification, and advanced maintenance activities.
Mr. Mshrif believes that this trajectory is enhancing the technological complexity of Morocco's industry, emphasizing that the kingdom's ambition extends beyond attracting investments to elevating the status of existing companies within global value chains, while also promoting research and development, engineering, and technology activities.
With aspirations to achieve full aircraft assembly capabilities by 2030, Morocco is setting its sights on broadening its manufacturing scope from components to more advanced stages of aircraft production, as stated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Mr. Belatiq sees global demand as a significant opportunity for Morocco, especially with companies like Airbus planning to increase aircraft production in the coming years. The vast number of components involved in aircraft manufacturing provides Moroccan manufacturers with the opportunity to expand their participation in production chains, provided they continue to develop skills and maintain high-quality standards.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade notes that global shifts in the sector, particularly the trend of companies diversifying supply chains and production sources, present Morocco with the opportunity to bolster its position in these chains, rather than solely attracting new investments.
According to GIMAS, the sector is expected to add approximately 10,000 new jobs, bringing total employment to around 35,000 by 2030. The specialized institute for training aviation technicians affiliated with the association aims to graduate between 500 and 700 individuals annually. Currently, around 75% of the sector's companies are located in the Casablanca-Settat region, with the main challenges not being in attracting investments but in providing the necessary real estate and industrial space to accommodate the expansion of most investing companies in the sector.
As reported by asharqbusiness.com.
