Boeing and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance the West African country’s aviation industry. Africa is forecasted to experience air traffic growth well above the global average over the next 20 years, making it a significant market.
Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo, expressed enthusiasm about the agreement with Boeing, which aims to benefit Nigerian airlines and develop the country’s civil aviation ecosystem. Keyamo highlighted Nigeria’s potential to drive aviation growth in Africa, emphasising that the support provided through this MoU aligns with the priorities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. He looks forward to collaborating closely with Boeing to realise these goals.
Under this strategic partnership, Boeing will offer planning workshops, training, technical support, and assessments to Nigerian airline operators. Anbessie Yitbarek, Boeing Vice President of Commercial Sales for Africa, noted that the agreement represents a significant step towards building a sustainable civil aviation ecosystem in Nigeria. Yitbarek emphasised Nigeria’s potential to foster economic growth and connect people, reinforcing Boeing’s commitment to shaping the future of aviation across Africa and beyond.
Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook predicts that Africa will require 1,170 new airplanes over the next 20 years. Boeing aircraft have been central to Africa’s commercial fleet for over 75 years, with more than 60 airlines operating around 500 Boeing airplanes, representing nearly 70% of the continent’s airplane market.