Morocco unveils strategic industrial zone in major economic push

RABAT – Morocco on Tuesday signed a partnership agreement to build the country’s fourth-largest industrial zone, marking a significant step in the kingdom’s drive to consolidate its position as a rising industrial power.

The new Industrial Acceleration Zone (IAZ), to be developed in the commune of Ouled Saleh in Nouaceur Province, will span 476 hectares, making it one of the largest such zones in the country after those in Casablanca, Kenitra and Tangier. Far from being a mere expansion in land area, the project reflects a structural transformation in Morocco’s economic model, positioning the site as a strategic platform for next-generation industries aligned with national priorities of sovereignty and sustainability.

The agreement was signed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Wali of the Casablanca-Settat region, the President of the Regional Council, the Governor of Nouaceur Province, the Director General of the Casablanca Urban Agency, the Director General of the Regional Investment Centre of Casablanca-Settat, and the Chairman of the Board of Al Omrane Group.

According to Morocco’s official news agency MAP, the project aims to strengthen Nouaceur’s role as a pivotal industrial hub and a key driver of economic activity in the wider Casablanca-Settat region.

Strategically located near Mohammed V International Airport, the zone offers substantial logistical advantages, particularly for industries reliant on air freight and rapid supply chains, such as aerospace components and electronics manufacturing. Its proximity to the Port of Casablanca and integration into major motorway networks, including the A1 linking Tangier to Safi and the A3 connecting Casablanca to Agadir via Marrakech, will also ensure seamless connectivity to global maritime supply chains.

This positioning makes the new zone an ideal export platform targeting European, African and North American markets.

Under the agreement, the partners will undertake comprehensive land, topographic, urban, technical and financial studies to design an integrated development model and a robust business plan aimed at ensuring the project’s long-term economic viability. The zone is intended to deliver modern industrial infrastructure and competitive support services tailored to the needs of priority industrial and logistics sectors.

The initiative forms part of a broader royal vision to transform Morocco into a competitive industrial economy capable of asserting itself on the global stage. It aligns with the government’s “Made in Morocco” strategy, which seeks to certify the origin and quality of national industrial products while expanding their presence domestically and internationally.

Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch announced in November that industrial exports accounted for 87 percent of Morocco’s total exports in 2024, exceeding 398 billion dirhams (approximately $39.8 billion).

Industrial acceleration zones such as Ouled Saleh are designed to attract small and medium-sized suppliers to operate alongside major manufacturers, thereby increasing local integration rates and strengthening domestic value chains.

Amid global economic volatility, Morocco is seeking through such projects to secure strategic sectors, reduce dependence on imports and convert imported goods into locally manufactured products. The kingdom has already emerged as the leading exporter of cars to Europe from outside the European Union, and the new zone is expected to reinforce this momentum, particularly in electric mobility and advanced manufacturing.

Officials said the project is expected to generate tangible economic and social impact by stimulating productive investment, creating sustainable employment and providing an integrated industrial and logistics platform for both national and international investors.

The launch of the Nouaceur Industrial Acceleration Zone underscores Morocco’s continued shift from an agriculture-reliant economy towards a more diversified and resilient industrial base, reinforcing its ambition to become a regional manufacturing powerhouse.