Boeing predicts Africa aircraft fleet will more than double by 2045

Boeing predicts Africa's commercial aircraft fleet will more than double by 2045, driven by a growing population and increasing demand for domestic and international travel. The airline manufacturer projects the fleet will expand from 755 aircraft in 2025 to 1,625 in 2045, requiring 1,165 deliveries over the next two decades. Single-aisle planes, primarily used for domestic and regional routes, will make up 870 of these deliveries, accounting for approximately three-quarters of the total.

Wide-body jets, typically used for longer international routes, will see 240 deliveries, alongside 15 cargo planes.

Africa's passenger traffic within the continent is expected to grow at an annual rate of 6.5% through 2045, outpacing other major travel markets in the region. Traffic between Africa and the Middle East is projected to expand at the fastest rate, 7.1% per year. Conversely, travel between Africa and Europe is anticipated to grow at a more modest rate of 3.4% annually.

The region's cargo fleet is forecast to rise from 60 freighters to 150, fueled by the expansion of logistics, e-commerce, and exports. Leading African carriers, such as Ethiopian Airlines, EgyptAir, and Kenya Airways, which mainly operate long-haul routes using Boeing and Airbus jets, currently dominate the market. Boeing's Managing Director of Commercial Marketing for Africa and the Middle East, Shahab Matin, noted that the African market is entering a period of sustained growth, driven by enhanced connectivity, rising intraregional travel, and deeper economic ties.

Boeing also estimated that Africa's aviation services market, encompassing maintenance, repair, overhaul, modifications, and digital services, will be worth $140 billion between 2026 and 2045. To support this expansion, the company expects to require 75,000 additional aviation workers, including 22,000 pilots, 25,000 technicians, and 28,000 cabin crew. This long-term market outlook is not a projection of specific orders.