American industrial group Curtiss-Wright Corporation has announced its first investment in Africa by establishing operations in Morocco. The agreement, signed during the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, will see the launch of Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies (CWST), the company’s division specializing in advanced surface treatment solutions for the aerospace industry.
The new facility will be located in the Greater Casablanca region, where it will provide specialized industrial services to Morocco’s growing network of aerospace manufacturers and suppliers. The investment addresses increasing demand for high-value surface treatment processes that are essential for the production and maintenance of precision aerospace components.
The Moroccan project marks Curtiss-Wright’s first operational footprint on the African continent. The company views Morocco as a strategic regional hub that could support future expansion into additional African markets.
The planned facility is expected to strengthen Morocco’s industrial capabilities in advanced manufacturing technologies while increasing the local integration of the country’s aerospace supply chain. It will also enhance the competitiveness of manufacturers already operating in the Kingdom.
Curtiss-Wright executives highlighted Morocco’s mature industrial ecosystem, modern infrastructure, and expanding aerospace cluster as key factors behind the investment decision. The country has become an increasingly attractive destination for global aerospace companies seeking reliable manufacturing and engineering capabilities.
According to the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development (AMDIE), the arrival of Curtiss-Wright reflects the continued evolution of Morocco’s aerospace industry toward higher-value and more technologically advanced activities. The establishment of a global specialist in surface engineering also demonstrates the growing volume of critical aerospace components now produced locally.
The project follows a series of major investments by international aerospace manufacturers that have expanded production in Morocco over recent years. As more complex aerospace programs are launched in the country, demand for specialized industrial services such as advanced surface treatment continues to rise.
Founded in 1929, Curtiss-Wright Corporation traces its heritage to aviation pioneers Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers. Headquartered in North Carolina, the company operates across the aerospace, defense, energy, and industrial sectors. In 2025, it generated approximately $3.5 billion in revenue and employed more than 8,900 people worldwide.
The announcement comes as Morocco showcases its aerospace capabilities at the Farnborough International Airshow, where the national pavilion is hosting meetings with global manufacturers, investors, and industry leaders. The Kingdom is using the event to promote new investment opportunities in aerospace, space technologies, and defense industries.
Over the past two decades, Morocco has built one of Africa’s most advanced aerospace ecosystems. The sector now includes more than 155 companies, generates over $3 billion in annual exports, employs more than 25,000 people, and has achieved a local integration rate of 42%. This sustained growth continues to strengthen Morocco’s position as a competitive global aerospace manufacturing hub.
