Boeing to support revamp of Nigeria’s aviation sector

August 30, 2024 in Business, Companies, Travel & Tourism by Editor

Boeing and Abuja have entered a collaborative arrangement that should result in a progressive improvement of Nigeria’s aviation sector. The aerospace giant and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development,  announced signed an MoU in Seattle August 29, through which they will collaborate to strengthen the West African country’s aviation sector.

Anbessie Yitbarek, Boeing vice president of Commercial Sales for Africa signed for Boeing while Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, signed for Nigeria. Despite being home to Africa’s largest population and economy, Nigeria’s aviation sector lags behind the rest of the continent, with foreign carriers dominating the market

“We are delighted to enter into this important, “working together” agreement with Boeing which will benefit Nigerian airlines and enable the development of our country’s civil aviation ecosystem,” Festus Keyamo said.

“As Africa’s largest economy and with the continent’s largest population, Nigeria has a lot to offer in driving the growth of aviation in Africa. The support to be provided through this agreement will help our local operators grow and succeed, which is a priority of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. We are keen to work assiduously with Boeing in the coming months and years to make this a reality,” He added.

As part of  the MoU, Boeing will improve the capabilities through planning workshops, training, technical support and assessments to Nigerian airline operators and regulators.

“This agreement is an important step in establishing a sustainable civil aviation ecosystem in Nigeria as there is shared interest and value in driving innovation and progress,” said Anbessie Yitbarek, Boeing vice president of Commercial Sales for Africa. “The importance of Nigeria for Boeing lies in its rich potential to foster economic growth, connect people, and shape the future of aviation in Africa and beyond.”

Africa continues to be a promising market with its overall air-traffic growth forecasted well above the average global growth rate over the next 20 years.

Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook projects Africa will need 1,170 airplanes over the next two decades. Boeing airplanes have formed the backbone of Africa’s commercial fleet for over 75 years. More than 60 airlines operate around 500 Boeing airplanes throughout Africa, which represents nearly 70pc of the airplane market across the continent.