The numbers behind one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets
- Africa’s aviation industry is fast-growing, with passenger air traffic gains averaging 5.8% annually through 2045, and the fleet more than doubling.
- Single-aisle airplanes account for nearly 75% of new deliveries supporting domestic, intra-African and short-haul international connectivity to Eurasia and the Middle East.
- Africa’s widebody fleet will more than double by 2045 reflecting growth in African hubs and intercontinental networks.
- Sustained aviation services demand in Africa, accounting for $140bn (4.6% annual growth), is driving investment in local capacity to support maintenance, technician training and aftermarket infrastructure to improve fleet availability and reduce reliance on distant support networks.
- Africa will need 22,000 new pilots, 77% of which will serve regional networks and 23% will serve global networks.
At a glance
| Measure | 2026-2045 Africa forecast |
| Passenger traffic growth | 5.8% annually |
| New airplane deliveries | 1,165 |
| Commercial jet fleet | 1,625 in 2045 (755 in 2025) |
| Services market | $140 billion |
| New aviation professionals | 75,000 |
Africa’s commercial jet fleet is forecast to grow 3.9% annually and more than double over the next two decades. This fleet expansion will drive a growing requirement for aviation services including airplane maintenance, training and investment in digital capabilities. Africa will need an average of 3,750 new skilled aviation personnel per year over the next two decades.
Where traffic growth is strongest
| Traffic flow | Annual growth, 2025-2045 | 2025 RPKs | 2045 RPKs | 20-year Growth |
| Africa-Middle East | 7.1% | 79.6bn | 311.8bn | 3.9X |
| Within Africa | 6.5% | 82.4bn | 288.1bn | 3.5X |
| Africa-Europe | 3.4% | 212.8bn | 415.1bn | 2.0X |
RPK = revenue passenger kilometers. Source: Boeing 2026 CMO Forecast Data.
Africa’s vast size, numerous countries and limited air service agreements between them have slowed international network development within the continent. Despite the pandemic, network growth has exceeded 20% over the past decade. As airlines add short-haul links between neighboring countries, intra-Africa passenger traffic will more than triple by 2045.
The fleet in 2045
| Airplane type | 2025 fleet | 2045 fleet | Net change |
| Regional jet | 160 | 35 | -125 |
| Single-aisle | 400 | 1,125 | +725 |
| Widebody | 135 | 315 | +180 |
| Freighter | 60 | 150 | +90 |
| Total | 755 | 1,625 | +870 |
Africa’s commercial fleet will be nearly all-new in 20 years. Fewer than 125 of the continent’s 755 airplanes in service now will remain in service in 2045 when 92% of the African fleet will be newer technology airplanes.
New airplane demand
| Airplane type | 2026-2045 deliveries | Share |
| Regional jet | 40 | 3% |
| Single-aisle | 870 | 75% |
| Widebody | 240 | 21% |
| Freighter | 15 | 1% |
| Total | 1,165 | 100% |
Source: Boeing 2026 CMO Forecast Data. Shares are rounded.
Services and people
| Services, 2026-2045 | Value | New personnel, 2026-2045 | Demand | |
| Maintenance | $90bn | Pilots | 22,000 | |
| Digital services | $45bn | Technicians | 25,000 | |
| Training & pilot services | $5bn | Cabin crew | 28,000 | |
| Total | $140bn | Total | 75,000 |
About the forecast
Published annually, the Boeing CMO combines traffic and capacity analysis with airline fleet data to forecast passenger and cargo demand and the airplanes required to serve it.
Official 2026 resources:
boeing.com/commercial/market/commercial-market-outlook
Interactive regional forecast: cmo.boeing.com
Source:Boeing