Kenya, South Africa, and Ethiopia competed to host the African branch of a major American aerospace company. Ultimately, the company chose Ethiopia due to its strong aviation safety record, which is among the best in Africa.
To prepare for this move, the US aerospace firm appointed Henok Shawl to lead its Africa division. Shawl, a former executive at Ethiopian Airlines, was selected for his extensive experience in both the aviation and telecommunications sectors, as well as his deep knowledge of the African market.
“Africa’s abundant natural resources and burgeoning young workforce are poised to drive significant growth in air traffic and airplane demand over the next two decades,” stated the company’s official announcement.
Boeing, a leading aerospace manufacturer, designs, builds, and services commercial airplanes. In the past year, Boeing delivered 528 commercial airplanes and secured 1,576 net orders. As of May 2024, the company’s market capitalization is estimated at Ksh14 trillion (USD 107 billion).
The company projects that African airlines will need approximately 1,030 new aircraft over the next 20 years to meet international standards.
Ethiopia, already home to the African Union’s headquarters, further enhances its status as a key diplomatic hub on the continent. Additionally, Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines have signed strategic Memoranda of Understanding to improve airline operations and focus on industrial development, advanced aviation training, educational partnerships, and leadership development.
Meanwhile, Kenya has a history of collaboration with Boeing, including securing aircraft orders and landing gear exchange services in 2022 to support more cost-effective operations.
Currently, Boeing dominates nearly 70 percent of the African airplane market, with over 60 airlines operating around 500 Boeing aircraft.
