Over the past two decades, Morocco has witnessed significant progress in the aviation sector, enabling it to strengthen its ambition to assemble an integrated aircraft within its borders.
Today, it has become the largest exporter of aviation equipment in Africa, and the fifth in the world, thanks to its ability to produce more than 40 key aircraft components, including sensitive parts that are only manufactured in five countries around the world.
Affaf Saidi, Director of the Aviation, Railways, Maritime Industries and Renewable Energy Sector at the Moroccan Ministry of Industry and Trade, stated that the Kingdom is at the top of the aviation industry in Africa, and ranks fifth in the world in terms of activity in this sector. In her statements to the Maghreb Arab Press Agency, she indicated that this achievement was achieved only 20 years after Morocco launched its first initiatives in this field, stressing Morocco’s ability to keep pace with developments in the global market.
Saidi added that the sector achieved strong economic growth of more than 3.8% during 2023, while the value of its exports reached 21.86 billion dirhams until last October, recording an annual increase of 17.3%. She explained that the sector currently provides more than 23,000 job opportunities, with a local integration rate of 42%.
This year witnessed significant developments in the Moroccan aviation sector, most notably hosting the Moroccan Air Show 2024 in Marrakech, which contributed to strengthening strategic partnerships with industry giants such as Boeing, Airbus and Bombardier. The sector also witnessed new investments, including the Spanish “Acitor” Group’s factory specializing in the manufacture of engine structures in the “Midpark” industrial zone in Nouaceur, with an investment exceeding 30 million dirhams.
In Casablanca, the “Safran” Group opened a new factory for the manufacture of aircraft engines at an estimated cost of 300 million dollars, which will provide hundreds of job opportunities and contribute to accelerating the transfer of advanced technology to Morocco. The Kingdom seeks to strengthen its position in the aviation sector by developing research and innovation and creating environmentally friendly solutions, and aims to manufacture an integrated aircraft by 2030 by expanding the sector’s activities and enhancing cooperation with international partners. Although the sector’s exports still represent a small percentage compared to major industries such as the automotive industry, the continued growth reflects a promising dynamic that makes Morocco a strong competitor in the aviation industry and perhaps space in the future
