FARNBOROUGH, UK – Boeing has identified Africa as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets over the next two decades, with the continent expected to play an increasingly important role in global fleet expansion as airlines respond to rising passenger demand, urbanisation and economic growth.
Released ahead of the Farnborough International Airshow, Boeing’s 2026 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) projects that emerging markets including Africa, China, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Latin America will account for around 55% of all new aircraft deliveries worldwide through 2045, underscoring the industry’s long-term shift toward faster-growing regions.
Globally, Boeing forecasts demand for 43,625 new commercial aircraft over the next 20 years as passenger traffic doubles and the worldwide fleet expands from about 28,000 aircraft today to more than 50,000 by 2045. Roughly half of those deliveries will replace ageing aircraft, while the remainder will support fleet growth.
For Africa, the outlook reinforces Boeing’s view that the continent remains one of aviation’s most significant long-term growth opportunities despite current challenges including limited connectivity, infrastructure gaps and aircraft shortages.
The manufacturer expects demand to be driven by rapid urbanisation, a growing middle class, expanding trade links and increasing intra-African travel as airlines continue building regional networks. The forecast also assumes continued progress toward greater market liberalisation under initiatives such as the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), which Boeing believes could unlock stronger fleet growth across the continent.
Single-aisle aircraft are expected to dominate Africa’s future fleet requirements, reflecting growing demand for domestic and regional services as well as shorter international routes linking African cities with Europe and the Middle East. Low-cost carriers are also expected to play an increasingly important role in expanding affordable air travel across the continent.
The broader global outlook suggests airlines will continue prioritising fleet modernisation, with next-generation aircraft offering lower fuel consumption and operating costs becoming increasingly important as carriers seek to improve efficiency while reducing emissions. Boeing projects the global single-aisle fleet will nearly double over the forecast period to more than 36,000 aircraft, while demand for freighters is also expected to rise alongside continued growth in air cargo.
“Airlines are adapting quickly to manage near-term industry constraints while demand for air travel remains resilient,” said Brad McMullen, Boeing’s Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing. He said the industry’s long-term fundamentals continue to support sustained investment in newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft.
While Africa currently represents a relatively small share of the global aviation market, Boeing’s latest forecast suggests the continent will remain one of the industry’s most dynamic growth regions, with airlines expected to play a central role in improving connectivity between rapidly expanding urban centres and supporting broader economic integration over the coming decades.
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