Africa's commercial airplane fleet will more than double from 755 to 1,625 aircraft over the next 20 years to meet rising air travel demand, Boeing said in a statement on September 3, citing its 2026 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) for Africa.

The U.S. planemaker said the continent's young, increasingly urban population, growing middle class and improving infrastructure would drive passenger traffic growth of nearly 6 percent annually through 2045, one of the fastest rates globally.

According to Boeing's outlook, African airlines will need close to 1,200 newly delivered airplanes by 2045, of which 870 will be single-aisle jets supporting expanding domestic and regional networks. Demand for widebody aircraft is expected to more than double as carriers modernise fleets and grow long-haul networks, while the region's cargo fleet is projected to grow from 60 to 150 freighters as logistics, e-commerce and high-value export markets develop.

The new-delivery forecast for 2026-2045 breaks down to 40 regional jets, 870 single-aisle aircraft, 240 widebody jets and 15 freighters, totalling 1,165 aircraft, per Boeing's figures.

Boeing said intra-African passenger traffic is expected to grow faster than the regional average as flight connections improve, while Europe is forecast to remain the largest international passenger market for flights to and from Africa through 2045, driven by economic ties, cultural and family connections, and rising tourism investment.

Shahab Matin, Boeing's managing director of Commercial Marketing, said the growth would require investment beyond aircraft alone.

"Africa's aviation market is entering a period of sustained growth driven by improving connectivity, expanding intraregional travel and deeper economic ties across the continent and with key global markets. Meeting this demand will require a broader commitment to fleet modernization, expanded capacity, digital solutions and workforce development," Matin said, according to the statement. "The opportunity extends well beyond airplanes. It will require investment in affordable access, and the people who will support a larger fleet."

Boeing's separate Commercial Services Market Outlook forecasts a $140 billion market for maintenance, repair, overhaul and modifications (MRO) and digital solutions in the region. Its Pilot and Technician Outlook projects that African carriers will need 75,000 new aviation professionals by 2045, comprising 22,000 pilots, 25,000 technicians and 28,000 cabin crew, as airlines expand fleets and route networks.

The Commercial Market Outlook is an annual forecast Boeing has published since 1961, providing 20-year demand projections for airplanes and services worldwide.

Source: PR