Boeing to open Africa's offices in Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA - Boeing, the world's largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, has announced intentions to open African offices in Addis Ababa, the administrative and commercial capital of Ethiopia.

A statement published on the company's website on Monday indicates that Ethiopian Airlines' impact on air travel triggered the decision to establish Boeing's headquarters in Addis Ababa. Ethiopian Airlines is one of Africa's safest air transport companies.

The decision puts Ethiopia ahead of Kenya and South Africa as the preferred location for the aerospace giant’s latest expansion plans in Africa, a continent expected to have a rapidly expanding air travel industry in the years and decades ahead.

A few months ago, Boeing appointed Henok Swawl as the Group's Managing Director for Africa Division. Before this appointment, Henok served as the executive of Ethiopian Airlines, at the time it made more profits than most corporates in Africa.

Shawl brings extensive experience in aviation and telecommunications, having recently served as the chief external affairs officer at Safaricom Telecommunication Ethiopia for six months, the company reports.

“Africa’s abundant natural resources and burgeoning young workforce are poised to drive significant growth in air traffic and airplane demand over the next two decades,” Boeing said.

Boeing anticipates that African carriers will need 1,030 new jet aircraft within the next 20 years, with 80% of these deliveries aimed at expanding the existing fleet, APA reports.

To uphold their prior business relations in 2023, Ethiopia and Boeing entered into a joint venture to manufacture some airplane parts in the country. Ethiopia has a reputation as a diplomatic hub being the headquarters of the African Union

GAROWE ONLINE