Mouna Benazzou: “Morocco Must Become a True Hub for Advanced Engineering, Design and Innovation”

On the occasion of Marrakech Air Show, Mouna Benazzou, Head of Capgemini Morocco, shares her perspective on the future of Morocco’s aerospace industry, the role of data and Artificial Intelligence in industrial transformation, and the importance of developing and retaining technology talent.

Morocco’s aerospace industry has reached an important stage of maturity. The next challenge is to move beyond industrial execution and establish the Kingdom as a leading hub for advanced engineering, design and innovation.

In an interview with La Nouvelle Tribune, Mouna Benazzou highlights the opportunities for Morocco to strengthen its position across the global aerospace value chain, leveraging its growing pool of highly skilled talent and its ability to deliver complex engineering projects for international clients.

From industrial execution to advanced engineering

For Mouna Benazzou, Morocco’s next step is clear: transition from being a high-performing industrial platform to becoming a genuine centre of expertise and innovation.

This means strengthening the country’s contribution across strategic areas such as design, simulation, systems engineering, embedded software, materials, data, AI and industrial process optimization.

The ambition is to go beyond manufacturing and position Morocco as a place where solutions are designed, developed and brought to life for international markets.

Data and AI: Accelerating industrial transformation

In an increasingly complex aerospace industry, data and AI are becoming powerful drivers of operational performance, predictive maintenance, product development and industrial optimization.

However, Mouna Benazzou emphasizes that technology alone is not enough.

“AI does not replace industrial expertise. It enhances it.”

The real value comes from combining data and algorithms with engineers’ experience, technical knowledge and ability to solve complex challenges. This convergence between human intelligence, engineering excellence and technological innovation will shape the next generation of industries.

Developing and retaining Morocco’s technology talent

Morocco’s strength also lies in the quality, adaptability and international exposure of its engineers and technology professionals.

Yet attracting talent is only part of the equation. Companies must create an environment where professionals can grow, take on meaningful challenges, develop their expertise and contribute to projects with tangible impact.

Access to international projects, continuous learning, career development and exposure to emerging technologies such as AI, data, cloud and digital engineering are essential to building sustainable career opportunities.

As Mouna Benazzou puts it:

“The best way to retain talent is not simply to offer them a job. It is to offer them an environment in which they can grow.”

She also underlines the importance of knowledge-sharing and leadership through mentorship, empowering the next generation of experts and leaders to go even further.

Global Delivery Centers: From execution to strategic partnership

The role of Global Delivery Centers (GDCs) is also evolving. No longer perceived as remote execution capabilities, they are increasingly becoming strategic hubs of expertise, innovation and problem-solving.

By contributing to solution design, R&D acceleration, digital transformation and the integration of AI and data, GDCs are becoming an extension of their clients’ teams.

For Morocco, this evolution represents a significant opportunity: contributing to global value chains not only through delivery capabilities, but also through expertise, solutions and innovation.

Positioning Morocco for the future

Across all four dimensions, one message stands out: Morocco has the talent, capabilities and opportunity to move further up the global value chain.

For Capgemini, supporting this ambition means combining engineering excellence, technological innovation and talent development to help industries transform and build the future.

The ambition is clear: not simply to manufacture in Morocco, but to think, design and innovate in Morocco for the world.

Article link: https://lnt.ma/entretien-avec-mouna-benazzou-le-maroc-doit-devenir-un-veritable-pole-de-conception-dingenierie-avancee-et-dinnovation/#goog_rewarded