Morocco is Africa's leader in the aviation industry

The French weekly *Le Point* reported that Morocco, as a leading African country in the aviation industry, is now attracting investors and manufacturers in this sector who are seeking to diversify their supply chains.

In an article titled "Morocco: A Leader in Africa's Aviation Industry," the magazine explained that Moroccan authorities are seeking to make the Kingdom a hub for the aviation industry, attracting investors and manufacturers wishing to diversify their supply chains and find a qualified and available workforce

The source noted the ceremony to present and launch the project to build a factory for the production of aircraft landing systems by the Safran Group in Nouaceur, presided over by His Majesty King Mohammed VI last February, in the presence of the chairman of the French group’s board of directors, Ross McInnes.
"Le Point" "Le Point" noted that this industrial project, which complements the CFM-LEAP engine assembly and maintenance facilities, is part of Safran Group’s strategy to keep pace with the ramp-up in production of Airbus A320 aircraft by securing a modern, high-performance production facility close to its strategic markets.

The magazine quoted Safran Group CEO Olivier Andries as saying: “The recent announcements regarding the establishment of a LEAP engine assembly line and a maintenance center in Casablanca reaffirm the relationship of trust that binds us to Morocco and the Kingdom’s strategic role within the Group’s global industrial ecosystem.”

The article highlighted Morocco’s “exceptionally advantageous” geographical location, explaining that “an industrial component —such as an engine or a landing gear system—manufactured in Casablanca on Friday evening can be transported by truck across the Mediterranean via the ferry at the Strait of Gibraltar, arriving Monday morning in Toulouse, near the factories and assembly lines of Airbus.”

He noted that the new plant will become operational by 2029 and will ultimately provide around 500 skilled jobs, adding that a major training program will be launched in partnership with local stakeholders to develop the specialized skills necessary for the growth of this project.

The magazine noted that the Safran Group has been present in Morocco for 26 years and employs approximately 5,000 people across 10 sites, Furthermore, Safran Aircraft Engine Services Morocco, founded in 1999, was the first aviation company to establish itself in Morocco and has since become a major center of excellence for the maintenance of CFM56 engines.