Morocco has sealed several landmark agreements in the aviation and defense sectors during the Marrakech Air Show, signaling a major push toward domestic high-tech manufacturing and strategic autonomy.
A cornerstone agreement focuses on joint research and development via the newly established African Center of Excellence in Manufacturing. This initiative brings together Morocco’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, the National Defense Administration, OCP Group, and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. They will collaborate with global aerospace and defense giants, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Safran, and Airbus, alongside the French research institute CETIM. Through this partnership, Morocco aims to move beyond attracting foreign investment, focusing instead on cultivating homegrown technological expertise and innovation. The aerospace sector has already emerged as a vital pillar of the Moroccan economy, driven by an expanding network of international suppliers.
In a move to boost domestic production, the Ministry of Industry and Trade signed a strategic pact with the national carrier, Royal Air Maroc (RAM). Under this agreement, RAM will integrate more Moroccan-made components and products into its supply chain, opening significant opportunities for local manufacturers to scale their operations.
Meanwhile, French aerospace group Safran is expanding its footprint in the kingdom. The company will establish a new facility for Safran Oil Systems, specializing in the production of aircraft engine lubrication systems. This project is supported by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Investment, and the Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency (AMDIE).
Morocco is also stepping up its domestic defense capabilities. A dedicated agreement with Harmattan AI outlines the comprehensive development of next-generation anti-drone systems. Under this framework, the technology will be researched, designed, manufactured, integrated, and tested locally in Morocco. This marks a significant shift from importing foreign defense equipment to building sovereign technological capabilities. The project is backed by a cross-governmental coalition, including the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the National Defense Administration, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Ministry of Interior.
Additionally, Abdellatif Loudiyi, the Minister Delegate in charge of the National Defense Administration, oversaw a separate partnership with Harmattan AI. This initiative will focus on designing and manufacturing a drone tailored specifically to Morocco's strategic needs.