On October 31, 2024, MEDZ, a territorial development subsidiary of CDG Group, and the aerospace and defense giant Safran signed an agreement to open a state-of-the-art aircraft engine maintenance workshop within MidParc Industrial Acceleration Zone in Nouaceur, near Casablanca. The deal, inked during the 7th Marrakech Air Show under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI, marks a significant step in Morocco’s ascent as an aeronautics hub.
The agreement was formalized by Khalid Safir, CEO of CDG Group, and Jean-Paul Alary, President of Safran Aircraft Engines, in the presence of Morocco’s Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and high-ranking officials, including Minister of Industry Ryad Mezzour and Minister of Defense Abdellatif Loudiyi. The workshop, covering 25,000 square meters, will specialize in maintaining and repairing Safran’s latest-generation LEAP engines. With operations slated to begin in 2026, the facility is designed to handle up to 150 engine maintenance operations per year, creating 600 jobs, predominantly for skilled engineers and technicians.
As part of this ambitious project, Safran also partnered with Hamid Benbrahim El Andaloussi, president of Midparc SA, to provide technical and logistical support, ensuring a smooth development and operation of the facility.
Located in Casablanca, the MidParc Industrial Zone, developed by MEDZ, has already become a destination for top industry players in aeronautics, defense, electronics, and even the medical sector. With over 20 investment projects currently housed there, MidParc has generated more than 3,000 jobs, contributing 15% of Morocco’s aeronautics workforce and reinforcing the country’s presence in the global aeronautics value chain.
Safran’s expansion into Morocco through this facility further establishes the country as a strategic regional hub for aeronautics in Africa. This investment not only boosts Morocco’s aeronautics capabilities but also strengthens the economic ties between Morocco and international aerospace leaders, positioning Morocco as a key player in high-tech industries across the continent.
