Rabat – Morocco is moving toward strengthening its aerospace sector with plans to produce its first aircraft engine by 2027 or 2028.
In comments to Bloomberg on Thursday, Minister of Industry Ryad Mezzour, emphasized that this shift is thanks to King Mohammed VI’s vision and the country’s hard work that maintains financial stability and inflation control.
“It’s a vision to prepare young people through skills, training, and strong engineering education, and to invest in renewable energy,” Mezzour said, citing the aforementioned qualifications as key factors that made Morocco stand out among other countries.
Aeronautics and youth demands
Morocco will produce the first aircraft engine by 2027 or 2028 and plans to reach full capacity by 2030, the minister said.
He added that Morocco will be among the five countries in the world capable of producing engines of this level.
This stage feels like “reaching the semifinals of the World Cup in manufacturing,” Mezzour explained.
Earlier this month, King Mohammed VI inaugurated the Safran new aircraft engine industrial complex in Nouaceur in Casablanca.
The complex will house two facilities, including one dedicated to the assembly and testing of Safran aircraft engines.
The aerospace sector generated export revenues that amounted to over $2.54 billion in 2024. The industry attracts many companies, including global leaders that operate in the North African country.
Over 150 companies are operating in Morocco, with the country offering 0% corporate tax for the first five years and around 8% for the following 20 years. Morocco also offers exemption from VAT, duty-free equipment imports, in addition to subsidized land and utilities.
Mezzour also addressed the recent youth-led protests, as well as frustration stemming from the perception that the country focuses on investment for the World Cup and not other sectors like healthcare and education.
Morocco’s youth “brought us pride,” he said, referencing the Atlas Cubs’ recent historic World Cup achievement.
“We are celebrating them and very proud of them. Our response is to welcome them into the political space, make it easier for them to join elections and public debates, and provide financial support- up to 75% of campaign expenses-to help them run for office and propose ideas,” Mezzour elaborated.
The minister also recalled the upcoming finance bill, which allocates a $14 billion budget for education and healthcare.
Regarding the manufacturing sector in Morocco, Mezzour said the North African kingdom boasts around one million Moroccans working in the sector.
“We need to add 500 more jobs, and yes, we need more investment. We have a plan, we are executing it, and we have trusted partners investing more and more in Morocco,” he explained.
Mezzour also spoke of Morocco’s flexibility in cooperating with all reliable partners, including China and the US.
“Morocco is working with everyone. China is a good partner. America is a good partner. Reliable partners are those who trust Morocco as a global hub and create jobs here,” he said.
Automotive boom
Beyond aeronautics, Morocco is also strengthening its regional and international position as it boasts another key sector: the increasingly booming automotive industry.
Mezzour said Morocco is producing over one million cars, with plans to raise capacity to 1.45 million, and eventually two million.
“We are building a full electric vehicle battery value chain, attracting investors to produce batteries for over one million cars,” the minister said with pride.
He added that Morocco is also drawing investment in hydrogen and aerospace, describing the country’s potential as very attractive for partners.
“We will be the only solution outside of China in the region capable of producing the entire battery value chain – from raw materials to finished cars,” Mezzour said, recalling that the country is already producing EVs and building a large battery factory under construction.
Morocco aims to increase its production capacity by 53%.
The country’s goal is to increase production to reach 107,000 electric vehicles by the end of 2025.
Between 2014 and 2018, the sector created at least 116,000 jobs, making Morocco Africa’s first automotive manufacturer in recent years.
Data from 2019 shows that job integration from the sector reached over 220,000 opportunities, as well as the presence of 250 companies involved in the sector.
