Africa’s commercial aviation sector is poised for significant growth over the next two decades, according to Boeing’s 2024 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO). The forecast projects the continent’s fleet to more than double by 2043, with a demand for 1,170 new aeroplanes. The driving force behind this expansion will be the increasing need for single-aisle jets, which will account for over 70 percent of new deliveries.
With Africa’s young and rapidly growing population seeking more opportunities for travel, air traffic in the region is expected to rise by an average of 6.4 percent annually, more than tripling by 2043. This places Africa as the third-fastest growing region among the ten regions tracked by Boeing. The forecast underscores Africa’s potential in the global aviation market, particularly in the context of domestic, regional, and intercontinental air travel.
Single-aisle jets
Boeing’s CMO highlights the increasing role of single-aisle aircraft in Africa’s aviation growth. With more than 800 new single-aisle jets expected to be delivered, these aircraft will cater to the region’s high air traffic demand. African airlines will benefit from single-aisle jets’ versatility, allowing them to operate efficiently across a variety of routes. These planes will serve key markets in Europe, the Middle East, and across the African continent.
Shahab Matin, Boeing’s managing director of Commercial Marketing for the Middle East and Africa, emphasised the importance of single-aisle jets in Africa’s aviation landscape.
“As demand for air travel rises, African airlines will need more single-aisle airplanes to efficiently serve many routes in the continent’s largest aviation markets,” Matin said, noting that more than 60 airlines across Africa currently operate around 500 Boeing aeroplanes.
Freighters and services
In addition to passenger aircraft, the CMO predicts that Africa’s freighter fleet will triple by 2043. This expansion will support the region’s increasing exports and e-commerce sectors, which are expected to flourish alongside the continent’s overall economic growth. With Africa becoming a more integral part of global trade networks, the need for dedicated cargo aircraft will increase, further driving the demand for freighters.
Another key aspect of the forecast is the anticipated growth in aviation services. As the fleet of commercial airplanes grows, the need for maintenance, training, and support services will expand at an average annual rate of 5.7 percent. The increase in demand for these services will also necessitate a significant expansion in the aviation workforce. Boeing estimates that Africa’s operators will need to hire and train 76,000 new pilots, maintenance technicians, and cabin crew, effectively tripling the region’s active personnel.
Economic implications
The projected growth in Africa’s aviation sector presents immense opportunities for economic development and connectivity. As 82 percent of new airplane deliveries will be for growth rather than replacement, this expansion marks a shift in the region’s transportation infrastructure, paving the way for enhanced intra-African connectivity and more competitive international markets.
Boeing’s forecast also supports Africa’s increasing integration into the global aviation network. With the anticipated surge in air traffic, African airlines are expected to take advantage of the continent’s strategic location, enhancing trade and tourism links with regions like Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Additionally, the growth in freighter capacity is particularly crucial as Africa seeks to bolster its role in global trade, especially in high-value goods and time-sensitive exports.
