“There is great potential for the aviation industry in Africa, but growth depends on important reforms,” said Henok Tefera, managing director at Boeing Africa.
“The implementation of a fully single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) will improve connectivity and reduce airfares. Modernizing the fleet with fuel-efficient aircraft and investment in SAFs will promote sustainability,” Tefera said.
Boeing is one of the solid supporters that SAATM sees as a catalyst for economic growth and regional ties. With 37 countries already participating, there are progress in regulatory frameworks, safety standards and capacity building. However, many industry players are not satisfied with the slow implementation of SAATM.
“Boeing is committed to helping SAATM succeed through cooperation with government, airline and industry stakeholders, policy engagement, capacity building and collaboration with technology,” he said. “We take pride in our role as not only as a fleet supplier, but also as a key enabler of the aerial ecosystem.”
The African air transport market is poised for significant growth, with passenger traffic expected to triple by 2043, with a 6.4% increase annually. Boeing projected the need for 1,170 new aircraft over the next 20 years, with single-aisle aircraft making up 70% of delivery.
However, high operating costs, infrastructure gaps and protectionist policies are some of the hurdles that hinder the growth of the African aviation industry.
Aircraft funding
Access to aircraft funding remains a challenge. “While Boeing is providing support, African Airlines still needs better funding mechanisms, lease options and policy support to modernize its fleet. Strong public-private partnerships are important for a competitive, unified air transport market,” Tefera said. “All these growth factors position Africa as a global aviation leader and support the vision of Agenda 2063 for Prosperity.”
Some African countries have restarted their domestic airlines, and civil airlines have been established. Demand for new jet liners is rising rapidly. Unfortunately, most African airlines face challenges when accessing aircraft financing, which means they are being raised, and African airline executives require the intervention of aircraft manufacturers.
Tefera said Boeing recognizes access to aircraft funding as a key challenge for many African airlines. “To support these airlines, Boeing offers a variety of financial solutions and advisory services through Boeing's customer finance.
According to Teferra, Boeing's customer finance provides guidance on risk assessment, cash flow management and payment structure, connecting airlines with financial institutions such as banks, multilateral banks and lenders. “We are also working with all aircraft lessors to help secure African Airlines lease agreements,” he said.
“We also advocate for improved aviation monetary policies that attract greater investment. To achieve this, we will work with governments, regulators, financial institutions, and agencies such as airline working groups that will help us assess compliance with the Cape Town Convention, to provide an assessment that demonstrates the ease of airline placement and relocation.”
Tefera pointed to his understanding of the memorandum of understanding that he had signed with Nigeria's Ministry of Aerospace Development in 2024 as a notable example of Boeing's commitment. The agreement is designed to strengthen the country's aviation sector, including promoting aircraft financing and access to leases.
African footprint
Boeing has maintained a major presence in the African aviation sector for over 75 years, with customers from over 60 airlines operating around 500 Boeing aircraft, accounting for around 70% of the continent's occupational fleet.
Regarding recent developments, the Ethiopian airline became the first African airline to order the Boeing 777X in March 2024, agreeing to buy eight 777-9 passenger aircraft and 12 more options.
In 2024, Boeing delivered a total of seven aircraft to Africa. It consisted of four 737 maxes and three 787s for Tanzania's government, Ethiopian Airlines and Royal Maroc, Tanzania Air Tanzania. “At the end of January, the first Boeing 787 landed in Luanda and marked an important milestone when it delivered the first of its four 787 Dreamliner to Angola Airlines,” he pointed out.
Beyond normal business, Boeing will work with African countries to promote the development aviation industry by providing support to the aviation academies, MRO centres and the aerospace manufacturing industry.
“We will partner with aviation academies and universities such as the Addis Ababa Institute of Technology and Cairo University to strengthen aviation workforce development and promote research and innovation. Additionally, we will work with trusted nonprofit organizations to inspire children and young adults to pursue careers in aviation and space and address the needs of our community.
From workforce preparation, STEM education, and entrepreneurship to sustainability and women's empowerment, Boeing's community programmes span across 17 countries, including Ivory Coast, Ghana and Sudan.
Manufacturing and MRO
Also, Boeing believes it is essential to strengthen local aerospace manufacturing and infrastructure, while helping airlines work and build local MRO functions, Teferra said. The company is investing in developing opportunities for aircraft parts manufacturing and engineering capabilities. We work closely with suppliers and partners in Ethiopia, Morocco and South Africa.
In Morocco, Boeing and Saffron have founded Moroccan Aerotechnical Interconnect System Aerospace, a joint venture, to manufacture wire bundles and harnesses. Boeing will also support sourcing and engineering to establish an advanced manufacturing research centre in Morocco.
In Ethiopia, Boeing has expanded its wire harness procurement by working with Ethiopian Airlines to establish a new manufacturing facility at the airline's base in Addis Ababa. The Ethiopian airline also produces thermoacoustic insulated hair blankets for the 737 Max through a joint venture with Italian Boeing supplier Geven-Skytecno at the airline's MRO factory.
In South Africa, Boeing has signed an agreement with Aerosud to manufacture the fuselage parts. “Boeing is committed to fostering an independent and competitive African aviation sector through such initiatives,” Tefera said.
SAF Approach
In 2016, South Africa Airlines marked a milestone by running Africa's first passenger flight equipped with SAF. According to Teferra, this achievement was made possible through collaborations between Boeing, SAA, Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), SunChem SA, and Skynrg Roundtable.
Fast forward to 2023, Boeing and the RSB have published research highlighting the potential for SAF production in sub-Saharan Africa, creating jobs and promoting only the energy transition. In this study, Brassica Carinata (Ethiopian mustard) was identified as a promising ingredient in biofuels that can address both food and energy needs. It further highlighted the important possibility of utilizing invasive invasive plants in South Africa for SAF production.
Restore trust
Boeing's safety and manufacturing approach was under intense scrutiny, in the wake of the door plug that blew the Alaska Airlines 737 Max in 2018 and 2019, along with the biggest two fatal crashes of the 737 in Indonesia and Ethiopia, as well as the door plug that blew the Alaska Airlines 737 Max in early 2024.
“All Boeing has been working to improve our culture, restore trust and provide for our customers,” Tefera explained. “We focus on stabilizing our business, implementing safety and quality plans under FAA supervision, and improving our commitment implementation.
“Boeing's Safety and Quality Plan focuses on four areas: improving safety and quality culture, investing in workforce training, simplifying manufacturing processes and plans, and eliminating defects. The plan also outlines key performance indicators (KPIs) for continuous monitoring and managing the health of production systems.
“The plan has progress showing concrete improvements. Based on employee feedback, Boeing has enacted a new random quality audit, over 70% of the action items in commercial aircraft production, adding hundreds of hours of new curriculum to its training program, and creating and preparing thousands of work orders for revisions.
“In addition, we have significantly reduced the defects in Spirit Aerosystems 737 fuselage assembly by increasing inspection points at build locations and implementing a customer-quality approval process.
“Boeing continues to improve in each of the four key areas,” concluded Tefera.
