Boeing in Africa

Africa is among the most promising markets in terms of economic and business growth. Graced by vast natural resources and a young population, the opportunity for growth of the African aerospace industry is significant.

Boeing’s partnership with Africa is much more than selling and supporting airplanes, it includes regional safety and connectivity initiatives, industrial partnerships, sustainability and community outreach.

Boeing has offices in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Boeing field service representatives are based with commercial customers across the African continent.

Industrial Partnerships

Boeing has formed partnerships with suppliers in Ethiopia, Morocco, and South Africa, valued at approximately $60 million. 

The Boeing-Morocco Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2016 aims to create investment opportunities and enhance Morocco’s industrial capabilities, leading to new aerospace jobs and increased Boeing sourcing in the country, including insulation blankets, wiring, tubes, and composites. Several suppliers have joined the MoU with investment plans, and Boeing has engaged hundreds of its suppliers to explore opportunities in Morocco’s aerospace sector. Boeing partners with the Africa Center of Manufacturing Excellence (ACME), a collaborative research and development center at the University of Mohammed 6th Polytechnic in Morocco, to foster innovation and local talent development.

In 2008, Boeing collaborated with Ethiopian Airlines to create a manufacturing facility in Addis Ababa, producing wire harnesses and thermo-acoustic insulation blankets for the 737 MAX through a joint venture with Geven-SkyTecno. 

Additionally, Boeing is advancing research in Africa by partnering with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa to develop a titanium roadmap and has inaugurated a Ka-band antenna system and tracking facility at the CSIR Satellite Applications Centre, enhancing its aerospace presence in the region.

Sustainability

Boeing is actively collaborating with local and international partners to research, develop and commercialize sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) from local sources. Boeing, South African Airways (SAA), the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), Sunchem SA and SkyNRG developed biofuel from a tobacco plant. In 2016, SAA and Mango celebrated Africa’s first passenger flights on the 737 fueled by sustainable biofuel.

In 2023, Boeing and the RSB released a study highlighting the potential of SAF production in South Africa and Ethiopia, driving a just energy transition and job creation. 

Boeing has launched STEM for Sustainability education programs in Egypt, Morocco and Senegal to address climate change challenges head-on by empowering youth with the necessary skills and knowledge. Additionally, Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines developed a training course focused on aviation sustainability for the Ethiopian Aviation University.

STEM

Community Engagement

Over the last decade, Boeing has invested $14.5 million in community partnerships with over 40 organizations in Africa. More than 43,500 people have participated in Boeing’s educational programs across the continent over the last 5 years alone. These programs aim to drive systemic improvements in education and empower African youth, recognizing that nearly 60% of the continent’s population is under 25 years old. 

The initiatives across the continent focus on nurturing digital skills, workforce preparation, STEM education, entrepreneurship, social equity and women empowerment.

We are continuously expanding community efforts in Africa, ensuring that more people have access to quality education and career opportunities, ultimately contributing to a sustainable future for the continent.

Highlights

University partnerships

Boeing prioritizes building a strong talent pipeline for the aerospace industry by establishing long-term partnerships with universities in Africa, including Addis Ababa Institute of Technology in Ethiopia, Cairo University in Egypt and the University of Mohammed 6th Polytechnic in Morocco. These partnerships enrich engineering curricula, foster research and development, and provide opportunities for students through Boeing grants.

STEM careers

Recognizing the need for more aviation professionals, Boeing also collaborates with Ethiopian Airlines and ThinkYoung to run the STEM School in Ethiopia, inspiring school students to pursue careers in aviation. Additionally, Boeing partners with Digital Divide Data in Kenya to enhance employability prospects for young Kenyans through the Employability in Aviation training program.

Innovation

Boeing’s community initiatives extend to support entrepreneurship and innovation. Boeing’s partnership with Junior Achievement Africa empowered 5,000 young people across the continent with entrepreneurial skills. The joint program of Boeing and Future African Space Explorer’s STEM Academy (FASESA) nurtures interest in space education and careers.

University partnerships

Boeing prioritizes building a strong talent pipeline for the aerospace industry by establishing long-term partnerships with universities in Africa, including Addis Ababa Institute of Technology in Ethiopia, Cairo University in Egypt and the University of Mohammed 6th Polytechnic in Morocco. These partnerships enrich engineering curricula, foster research and development, and provide opportunities for students through Boeing grants.

STEM careers

Recognizing the need for more aviation professionals, Boeing also collaborates with Ethiopian Airlines and ThinkYoung to run the STEM School in Ethiopia, inspiring school students to pursue careers in aviation. Additionally, Boeing partners with Digital Divide Data in Kenya to enhance employability prospects for young Kenyans through the Employability in Aviation training program.

Innovation

Boeing’s community initiatives extend to support entrepreneurship and innovation. Boeing’s partnership with Junior Achievement Africa empowered 5,000 young people across the continent with entrepreneurial skills. The joint program of Boeing and Future African Space Explorer’s STEM Academy (FASESA) nurtures interest in space education and careers.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes

Commercial Market Outlook

Boeing has been a cornerstone of Africa's aviation sector for over 75 years, with more than 60 airline customers operating around 500 Boeing airplanes across the continent. The flexibility and efficiency of models like the 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX have significantly contributed to the growth of the African airline fleet, enabling airlines such as Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines to launch direct long-haul flights to previously unserved destinations.

In 2024, Ethiopian Airlines made history as the first African carrier to order the 777X, committing to eight 777-9s and options for an additional 12. Other African carriers like Air Austral and EgyptAir continue to operate earlier 777 models. Boeing is actively engaging with various African airlines and governments, including a recent MoU with Nigeria's Ministry of Aviation to enhance the country's aviation sector through training and technical support. During Paris Airshow 2025, Boeing signed a Memorandum of Strategic Cooperation with the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Angola to explore initiatives aimed at advancing the Angolan aviation sector, in partnership with TAAG Angola Airlines.

Boeing is committed to improving aviation safety and operational efficiency in Africa by collaborating with organizations like the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) and advocating for the Single African Air Transport Market initiative. With urbanization and a growing middle class, Boeing forecasts a demand for 1,205 new airplane deliveries and 76,000 aviation personnel in Africa over the next 20 years, highlighting the continent's potential for significant growth in passenger and cargo traffic.

737 MAX 10 in flight

737 MAX

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777X

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Explore the 787 Dreamliner

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Boeing Defense, Space & Security

Boeing’s defense legacy dates back to the 1940s, when Boeing heritage company Douglas Aircraft established a top secret aircraft maintenance facility in Ethiopia to serve Allied air commands in North Africa during World War II. The desert factory was disassembled and shipped back to the United States in 1943.

Today, Boeing continues to serve its African defense customers. The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) currently operates CH-47D Chinook helicopters and has AH-64E Apache helicopters on order. The Egyptian Air Force operates CH-47D Chinook and AH-64D Apache helicopters, and has agreements with the U.S. Army and Boeing to modernize its tiltrotor fleet with CH-47F Chinooks and remanufactured AH-64E Apaches. The Boeing defense presence in Africa also includes the Insitu ScanEagle. Cameroon, Kenya and Tunisia operate these long-endurance, low-altitude uncrewed aerial vehicles for reconnaissance missions.

H-47F Block II Chinook

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AH-64 Apache

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Boeing Global Services

Airlines in Africa use Boeing services offerings, including spare parts programs to support and maintain their fleets, training solutions for airline personnel and modification services to enhance passenger experience.

Boeing’s digital aviation solutions provide African airlines with real-time access to maintenance, flight and aircraft performance information to optimize efficiency, lower fleet operating costs and improve environmental performance.

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Location

Addis Ababa Office

Mezzanine Floor, Minaye Tower
Kirkos Sub-City
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Johannesburg Office

Boeing International Corporation — South Africa
The Woodlands Office Park

Building 16, 1st floor, Unit I
20 Woodlands Drive

Woodmead

Johannesburg 2191

Gauteng
Republic of South Africa
Tel: +27 861 777 787

Fax: +27 861 787 787