Morocco's King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, presided on Monday over the launch of construction work on the Safran Group’s new industrial complex for aircraft engines in Nouaceur, marking a major step forward in Morocco’s ambitions to become a global hub for aerospace manufacturing.
The new complex, located in the Midparc integrated industrial platform dedicated to the aeronautics industry, will include two facilities: one for assembling and testing Safran’s aircraft engines, and another for maintenance and repair of new-generation LEAP (Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion) engines.
Officials said the project represents more than an industrial investment — it symbolizes Morocco’s growing role in the global aerospace value chain and reflects the strong partnership between Safran and the Kingdom, which spans 25 years.
During the ceremony, Industry and Trade Minister Ryad Mezzour highlighted Morocco’s rapid industrial transformation under the King’s leadership. “Thanks to His Majesty’s enlightened vision, Morocco has established itself as a global destination for high-tech industries,” he said, noting that aerospace exports grew from less than MAD 1 billion in 2004 to over MAD 26 billion in 2024.
According to Mezzour, the new Safran complex will include a MAD 1.3 billion plant for engine maintenance and repair, with a capacity of 150 engines per year and 600 direct jobs expected by 2030. A second plant, dedicated to assembling and testing LEAP-1A engines used in Airbus A320 Neo aircraft, will require an investment of MAD 2.1 billion and create 300 highly skilled jobs by 2029.
“This will be only the second LEAP-1A engine production site in the world,” Mezzour said, emphasizing that the project consolidates Morocco’s position in the global supply chain and supports job creation for young engineers and technicians.
Ross McInnes, Chairman of Safran’s Board, said the King’s presence at the ceremony “reflects not only His Majesty’s personal commitment to Morocco’s industrial development, but also the country’s exceptional investment climate.” He added: “Safran does not produce in Morocco, but with Morocco.”
Safran CEO Olivier Andriès said the group’s decision to base the new complex in Morocco was “a deliberate choice,” citing the country’s skilled workforce, modern infrastructure, and stable economy. “These projects represent over €350 million in investments and will generate thousands of jobs across Morocco’s aerospace ecosystem,” he said.
During the ceremony, the King oversaw the signing of three agreements, including a protocol formalizing commitments between the Moroccan government and Safran for the establishment of the new facilities, and a memorandum on the use of renewable energy at Safran sites in Morocco.
The LEAP-1A engine — a new-generation model known for its fuel efficiency and advanced materials — was later unveiled before the Sovereign.
King Mohammed VI also met a group of young trainees from the Institute of Aeronautics Professions (IMA) in Nouaceur who will join the future maintenance plant, before officially launching the construction of the new complex.
Safran, the world’s leading manufacturer of short- and medium-haul aircraft engines, first established its presence in Morocco 25 years ago. The group’s continued expansion underscores the growing international confidence in the Moroccan aerospace sector — a sector the King has positioned as one of the pillars of the Kingdom’s industrial development and global competitiveness.
