Boeing commercial airplanes have formed the backbone of Africa’s fleet for over 75 years. Boeing has more than 60 airline customers operating around 500 Boeing airplanes throughout Africa.

This relationship continues to strengthen as Boeing airplanes, with their flexibility and operating efficiency, including the 787 Dreamliner and the 737 MAX, power the growth of the African airline fleet.

Taking all generations and freighter versions into account, 55 African airlines operate a member of the 737 family.

Adopting the 787 Dreamliner has allowed Kenya Airways, EgyptAir, Air Austral, Air Tanzania, Ethiopian Airlines and Royal Air Maroc to institute direct long-haul flights to destinations that were not served from Africa before. Also, TAAG Angolan Airlines has ordered the 787 Dreamliners to modernize its widebody fleet.

In 2024, Ethiopian Airlines became the first African carrier to order the 777X, with an agreement to purchase eight 777-9s and options for another 12. Ethiopian Airlines have signed an MOU in 2022 with the intent to purchase five 777-8 Freighters, the industry’s newest, most capable and most fuel-efficient twin-engine freighter.  Earlier models of the 777 are currently operated in Africa by Air Austral, Air Zimbabwe, Alexandria Airlines, CEIBA Intercontinental, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines and TAAG Angolan Airlines.

In August 2024, Boeing signed with the Nigerian Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development an MoU to strengthen Nigeria’s aviation sector. As part of a strategic relationship with the ministry and Nigerian airlines, Boeing will provide planning workshops, training, technical support and assessments to Airline Operators of Nigeria.

Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines entered into a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU). This comprehensive agreement encompasses four key areas of collaboration: industrial development, advanced aviation training, educational partnerships and leadership development.

Similarly, Boeing signed an MoU with Air Tanzania to enhance safety measures, refine strategic planning and cultivate leadership capabilities.

Boeing works closely with airlines in Africa, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) and the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) to strengthen aviation safety on the continent.

Boeing is also advocating for the Single African Air Transport Market, an initiative by the African Union to enhance connectivity, and facilitate the growth of the aviation industry across the continent by removing barriers and restrictions on air travel between African countries.

With the increasing rates of urbanization and a growing middle-class population, Africa is forecast to see strong passenger and cargo traffic and airplane demand growth in the next two decades. Boeing forecasts that African carriers will require 1,170 new airplane deliveries and 76,000 aviation personnel over the next 20 years.

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.

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.

Additionally, Boeing has assisted with advancing research and development in Africa. The company has partnered with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa to develop a titanium road map and explore research opportunities for incorporating titanium powder into manufacturing processes and aerospace products.

In the space domain, Boeing inaugurated the first worldwide Ka-band antenna system and tracking facility at the CSIR Satellite Applications Centre in South Africa.

Since 2008, Boeing has invested more than $22 million in community partnerships with over 40 organizations in Africa. 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.

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 and Cairo University in Egypt. These partnerships enrich engineering curricula, foster research and development, and provide opportunities for students through Boeing grants.

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.

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.

Empowering women is a central focus of all Boeing’s community initiatives, with an average female participation rate of 50%.

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.