Boeing has raised its long-term aircraft demand forecast for Africa, anticipating a 40 percent increase compared with last year’s estimate, driven by growing passenger traffic, rising incomes, and expanding airline networks, according to Business Insider Africa.
The updated forecast projects demand for approximately 1,700 new aircraft over the next 20 years, up from 1,200 in last year’s outlook and about 70 percent higher than forecasts three years ago. Single-aisle jets, ideal for short- and medium-haul routes, are expected to account for roughly two-thirds of total demand, reflecting the growth of intra-African travel and connections to Europe and the Middle East.
Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook indicates that Africa’s commercial fleet could more than double by 2044, supported by annual passenger traffic growth of around 6 percent, driven by a young population, urbanisation, and investment in airport infrastructure. The report anticipates over 1,200 aircraft deliveries in the next two decades, with single-aisle aircraft dominating the regional fleet.
The outlook underscores Africa’s rising significance in global aviation and highlights opportunities for manufacturers, airlines, and aviation service providers. Challenges such as delivery delays affecting carriers, including Ethiopian Airlines, remain, but Boeing expects the region’s aviation sector to sustain strong growth in the coming decades.
