This year, aeronautics in Morocco stood out with major events and the inauguration of new production infrastructures. So many achievements which strengthen the reputation of this sector as a strategic center of innovation and excellence.
According to recent figures from the Foreign Exchange Office, aeronautics exports improved by 17.3% to more than 21.86 billion dirhams (MMDH) during only the first ten months of 2024, exceeding the 21.85 billion dirhams made over the whole of 2023.
This jump is explained by strong global demand and the diversification of products, ranging from spare parts to complete equipment for major aircraft manufacturers. Morocco has thus consolidated its place among the main aeronautical production bases in Africa and the Middle East.
Furthermore, the year 2024 was marked by several major events which strengthened Morocco’s position on the international scene. The “Morocco Air Show” 2024, one of the largest aeronautics shows on the continent, was held in Marrakech with the participation of thousands of professionals, investors and decision-makers in the sector.
This show not only highlighted the Kingdom’s assets, but also formalized new strategic collaborations with aeronautics giants, such as Boeing and Airbus.
This event was also an opportunity to unveil the progress made by Morocco in the field of training, with the inauguration of new specialized training centers. These infrastructures help meet the growing needs for engineers, technicians and experts in the sector, and ensure a promising future for the local workforce.
Also in 2024, several new factories opened their doors, including the Safran group which inaugurated a production unit in Casablanca dedicated to the manufacture of aircraft engines. A $300 million project which represents a strategic turning point for the local industry and which will create hundreds of jobs and promote the transfer of advanced technologies.
Other companies, such as Bombardier and Stelia Aerospace, have also consolidated their investments in the Kingdom, with new factories and expansions of their existing sites. These initiatives aim to support the growing demand from major global airlines for premium parts, while contributing to local economic growth.
Commenting on these achievements, the director of aeronautical, railway, naval and renewable energy industries at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Afaf Saidi, affirmed that the Moroccan aeronautical industry is undoubtedly one of the finest cases of industrial success. of the Kingdom.
Barely twenty years after the launch of the first initiative in the sector, Morocco has become the main exporter of aeronautical equipment, parts and components on the African continent and now occupies 5th place among the most dynamic countries in the world in aeronautics and 1st place in Africa, she argued in an interview with MAP.
For Ms. Saidi, this great performance testifies not only to the resilience of the national aeronautical industry, but also to its ability to adapt to global market dynamics, while playing a determining role in the upscaling of local skills and of the country’s industrial fabric.
At the same time, she stressed the need to take advantage of the opportunities offered to this industry, while capitalizing on its many assets.
In addition, the director of aeronautical, railway, naval and renewable energy industries at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce discussed the multiple measures put in place to strengthen the competitiveness of aeronautics, including modern infrastructure, a system adapted training, a dynamic and attractive aeronautical ecosystem which stands out for the diversity of its professions, a favorable business environment, in addition to direct subsidies for investment projects with encouragement intended for pioneering and innovative projects.
Regarding land, Ms. Saidi indicated that Morocco has modern infrastructure, with industrial zones specially dedicated to aeronautics, such as Midparc which has a complete framework with cutting-edge facilities, available land, and tax incentives, adding that the port of Tanger Med also plays a crucial role in this rise in the sector.
And to maintain that the diversity of professions achieved in this industry has made it possible to create synergies between the different segments of the value chain, strengthening both its competitiveness, its level of local integration and its capacity to meet the requirements of a highly technical and constantly evolving sector.
Taking into account all these achievements and performances, the medium and long term prospects for aeronautics in Morocco look promising, with a new generation of companies and talents ready to make the Kingdom a global reference in the world of aeronautics. aeronautics industry.