Mohammed VI Launches Construction Works of Africa’s First Aircraft Engine Assembly Ecosystem as Safran Group Invests €350 Million

CASABLANCA, Morocco--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 14, 2025--

King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, chaired in Nouaceur the presentation and launch ceremony of Safran Group’s “Aircraft Engines” industrial and technological complex in Morocco. The complex will notably include a final assembly plant for aircraft engines. This strategic project brings the total value of the Group’s investments in its new industrial ecosystem to €350 million and places the country among the very limited number of nations manufacturing aircraft engines.

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Located within the Midparc Integrated Industrial Zone, this next-generation complex will comprise a plant for the assembly and testing of LEAP engines, which notably power Airbus A320 Neo aircraft, as well as a maintenance and repair unit for new-generation engines. Morocco will become the second global production site for the LEAP-1A engine, after France. The project is expected to generate 900 qualified direct jobs by 2030, in addition to several thousand indirect jobs across the Moroccan aeronautics value chain.

According to the Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, “Thanks to the Enlightened Vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco has established itself as an essential global destination in cutting-edge sectors. In less than two decades, and through ambitious and complementary strategies led by the Sovereign, the Kingdom has built a world-class aerospace industry.” The sector’s export revenues have risen from less than MAD 1 billion in 2004 to more than MAD 26 billion in 2024, he noted.

With this new complex, Morocco joins the select group of nations capable of assembling aircraft engines. This strategic positioning of the Kingdom illustrates its industrial upgrading and the lasting consolidation of its technological base.

“We do not produce in Morocco, but with Morocco,” declared Ross McInnes, Chairman of Safran GrouBoard, praising the Kingdom’s stability and investment environment.

According to Olivier Andriès, Safran Group CEO, the choice of Casablanca is explained by “the quality of its talent, the modernity of its infrastructure, and a stable macroeconomic environment focused on innovation and sustainability.”

Three agreements were signed during the ceremony: a protocol agreement between the Moroccan State and Safran defining investment commitments; a memorandum of understanding on supplying the site with renewable energy; and an implementation agreement within the Midparc industrial hub, in partnership with the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion and MEDZ.

Present in Morocco for 25 years, Safran thus strengthens a strategic and long-term industrial partnership with the Kingdom. For Morocco, this project reflects His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s ambition to make the country a world-class technological and industrial platform, at the crossroads of Europe and Africa, combining stability, competence, and innovation.

Beyond aerospace, Morocco continues to establish itself as a major industrial base in the Mediterranean, producing 700,000 vehicles in 2024 and recording €6 billion in textile exports.

*Source:AETOSWire

King Mohammed VI of Morocco visiting Safran engine factory in Nouaceur, Casablanca, and credits are MAP (Photo: AETOSWire)

HOUSTON (AP) — Isaac Paredes homered for the third straight game, driving in four runs to propel the Houston Astros to a 5-1 victory over the Athletics on Friday night.

Jeremy Peña singled off Jack Perkins (2-3) to begin the first inning, extending his hitting streak to six games before Yordan Alvarez followed with a walk. Paredes homered for the ninth time for a 3-0 lead.

Alvarez, who chased down first-inning fly balls from Shea Langeliers and Nick Kurtz in left field in his first start out there since May 5, singled to start the third before scoring on a triple by Christian Walker. Paredes followed with a sacrifice fly for a 5-0 advantage.

Peter Lambert (5-4) was cruising until Brent Rooker hit his ninth homer in the sixth. The right-hander then walked Tyler Soderstrom in front of a double by Henry Bolte to put runners on second and third with one out. Enyel De Los Santos came in and struck out Zach Gelof before retiring Jeff McNeil on a liner to Jose Altuve at second to limit the damage.

The Athletics loaded the bases with one out in the second, but Lambert struck out McNeil and Darell Hernaiz to keep it 3-0. He allowed one run on five hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings.

De Los Santos retired all five batters he faced, Bryan King pitched a scoreless eighth, and closer Josh Hader struck out the side in his second appearance after beginning the season on the injured list.

Altuve singled in the eighth and finished 1 for 4 in his first game since May 16 when he landed on the IL with a strained left oblique. It was the only hit off reliever Mason Barnett over the final four innings.

Perkins was charged with all five runs in four innings.

Athletics RHP Kade Morris was set to make his big-league debut on the mound Saturday, opposite Astros rookie RHP Tatsuya Imai (2-3, 5.52).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Athletics relief pitcher Mason Barnett throws against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 5, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Astros starting pitcher Peter Lambert throws against the Athletics during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 5, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Athletics starting pitcher Jack Perkins throws against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 5, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Astros Jeremy Peña (3), designated hitter Isaac Paredes (15) and Yordan Alvarez (44) celebrate after they all score on the three run home run by Paredes against the Athletics during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 5, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Astros designated hitter Isaac Paredes flips his bat as he watches his hit against the Athletics during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, June 5, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)