The Moroccan government has officially approved the creation of a new company dedicated to managing industrial zones for defense manufacturing,marking a significant step in the country’s strategy to build a sovereign defense industry.
The newly established entity,named the “Defense Industrial Zones Management Company,” is a joint venture between the Military Housing and Equipment Agency (ALEM) and MEDZ,a subsidiary of the state-owned Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG) group.
The company will be responsible for designing,developing,managing,and marketing specialized industrial zones focused on defense and security manufacturing.
The initiative stems from a strategic agreement signed in November 2023 between the Ministry of Economy and Finance,the Ministry of Industry and Trade,the National Defense Administration,CDG,and ALEM. It is aligned with Morocco’s Law 10.20,which regulates the production and trade of defense and security equipment.
The company’s initial capital is set at 300,000 dirhams,and its mandate includes supporting the development of facilities for the production of weapons,ammunition,and other defense-related technologies. The authorization for its creation is valid for one year from the date of publication in the Official Bulletin.
This move is part of a broader national strategy to reduce dependence on foreign arms suppliers and to develop a domestic defense manufacturing base. Morocco has already laid the legal and institutional groundwork for this transformation,including the adoption of legislation enabling foreign and local partnerships in the defense sector.
The country’s ambitions are supported by its success in other high-tech industries,such as automotive and aerospace manufacturing,and by its strategic geographic position. Morocco has attracted interest from international defense firms,including India’s Tata Advanced Systems and Israel’s Elbit Systems,which are exploring partnerships and investments in the planned defense zones.
The Royal Armed Forces (FAR) have also been modernizing rapidly,with Morocco ranking among Africa’s top defense spenders. The creation of dedicated defense industrial zones is expected to enhance national security,create high-skilled jobs,and position Morocco as a regional hub for defense innovation and production.
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