The forecast identifies demographic growth, expansion of the middle class, rapid urbanisation, and continued investment in airport infrastructure and connectivity as primary drivers of demand.

Fleet Growth And Market Drivers

Boeing projects that more than 1,200 new aircraft will be delivered to African operators between 2025 and 2044. Single-aisle aircraft are expected to account for approximately 70 per cent of these deliveries, supporting domestic and short-haul international route expansion.

African low-cost carriers are expected to benefit from increased demand for travel across the continent and to destinations in Europe and the Middle East, supporting network expansion and improving regional connectivity.

Economic And Industry Impact

According to Boeing, aviation continues to play a role in supporting broader economic activity across Africa, including tourism, trade, investment, logistics development and associated service industries.

Fleet growth and network expansion are also expected to drive demand for aviation personnel, with a projected requirement for 74,000 pilots, technicians and cabin crew over the next 20 years.

Additional Forecast Indicators

The Africa CMO also projects services demand valued at approximately US$130 billion to support fleet growth and operational resilience.

Demand for widebody aircraft is expected to be driven by airline fleet modernisation and long-haul network expansion, while freighter demand is linked to growth in logistics and export markets across the continent.

Projected aircraft deliveries between 2025 and 2044 include:

• Regional jet: 90
• Single-aisle: 865
• Widebody: 240
• Freighter: 10
• Total: 1,205

The Commercial Market Outlook, published annually since 1961, is intended to support planning across airlines, suppliers and policymakers.