Morocco's King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, on Monday chaired the presentation and launch ceremony for the construction of Safran Group’s aircraft engine industrial complex in Nouaceur.

This is a landmark project that further cements Morocco’s position as a global aerospace hub.

The state-of-the-art complex, located within the Midparc industrial platform, will include two major facilities — one for assembling and testing Safran aircraft engines, and another dedicated to maintenance and repair of new-generation LEAP (Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion) engines.

The project, described as a strategic industrial investment, deepens the strong partnership between Morocco and Safran and reflects the King’s vision to elevate the country’s aerospace sector to higher levels of technological excellence and competitiveness.

During the ceremony, Industry and Trade Minister Ryad Mezzour praised the King’s “enlightened vision,” noting that Morocco has become a world-class destination for advanced industries in less than two decades.

He revealed that the country’s aerospace export revenue has surged from less than MAD 1 billion in 2004 to over MAD 26 billion in 2024, with more than 150 global operators now active in the sector.

Mezzour highlighted that Safran, a trusted partner for 25 years, is reaffirming its confidence in Morocco by investing in two key facilities — an aircraft engine maintenance and repair plant worth MAD 1.3 billion, with capacity for 150 engines annually and 600 direct jobs by 2030, and an assembly and testing plant for LEAP 1-A engines (used in Airbus A320 Neo models), a MAD 2.1 billion investment that will create 300 high-skill jobs by 2029.

The new complex, he said, will become Safran’s second global production site for the LEAP-1A engine, firmly placing Morocco in the global value chain of aircraft manufacturing.

Safran Chairman Ross McInnes described the King’s presence as “deeply meaningful,” saying it reflects His Majesty’s commitment to Morocco’s industrial progress and the country’s favourable investment climate.

“Safran does not produce in Morocco but with Morocco,” he said, reaffirming the group’s dedication to the growth of the Moroccan aerospace ecosystem.

Safran CEO Olivier Andriès explained that the decision to expand in Morocco was driven by the country’s talent, infrastructure, and stable macroeconomic environment.

“We were guided by the trust inspired by Your Majesty’s leadership in turning the Kingdom into a globally competitive industrial platform,” he said.

He revealed that Safran’s ongoing and new projects in Morocco now total more than €350 million, expected to create thousands of jobs across the aerospace value chain.

During the event, three key agreements were signed, including:

• A protocol agreement between the Moroccan government and Safran for the establishment of the aircraft engine assembly and testing plant.
• A memorandum of understanding for the supply of renewable energy to Safran’s Moroccan operations.
• And an implementation agreement for the plant at Midparc.

The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the LEAP-1A engine and a photo session with Moroccan trainees preparing to join the new maintenance plant, before the King officially launched construction work on the Safran complex.

The Safran Group, a world leader in aircraft engines and aerospace systems, has been present in Morocco for over 25 years.

Its expanded footprint in the Kingdom stands as a testament to King Mohammed VI’s vision of positioning Morocco as a global centre for high-technology industries.