Boeing's 2025 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) for Africa projects that the continent's commercial aeroplane fleet will more than double to 1,680 aircraft over the next 20 years to meet rising travel demand. Single-aisle aircraft are expected to make up about 70 percent of the more than 1,200 new airplanes slated for delivery, supporting the growth of domestic and short-haul international routes.
'Aviation is a catalyst for Africa's economic expansion and intra-continental connectivity, building on industry growth we've seen across the region over the last 20 years,' said Shahab Matin, Boeing managing director of Commercial Marketing for the Middle East and Africa.
Rwanda is positioning itself to benefit directly from this growth. The development of the new Bugesera International Airport, in partnership with Qatar Airways, is central to the country's strategy to become a regional aviation hub.
The new airport is designed to far exceed the capacity of Kigali International Airport, which was originally built for 400,000 passengers annually but was handling over 1 million passengers before the pandemic.
Phase I of Bugesera International Airport is expected to handle 7 to 8.2 million passengers annually when it opens by 2028, while Phase II, targeted for completion around 2032, could expand capacity to 14 million passengers annually.
Rwanda's national carrier, RwandAir, is aligning with this expansion, aiming to more than double its annual passenger numbers from just over 1 million in 2023/2024 to 2.1 million by 2028/2029. This growth will be supported by expanding its fleet from 15 to at least 21 aircraft and increasing its network from 23 to 29 destinations.
In August this year, the airline strengthened its operational capacity with the addition of two modern Boeing 737-800 aircraft. In addition to the two aircraft, the airline operates a fleet of 13 other planes, including two A330-200s, one A330-300, six Boeing 737 Next Generation jets, two Bombardier CRJ900s, and two De Havilland Dash 8-400s. Plans are also underway to add a fourth Airbus to the fleet.
'With sustained investment, an expanding network, and an empowered workforce, we're building an airline that connects Rwanda to the world, and the world to Rwanda," Rwandair Chief Commercial Officer Fouad Caunhye told IGIHE in July.
As African carriers, including RwandAir, expand their fleets and route networks, Boeing forecasts a need for 74,000 new pilots, technicians, and cabin crew across the continent over the next 20 years. The Africa CMO also projects aviation services demand valued at $130 billion to support fleet growth and operational resilience through 2044.
With strategic investments like Bugesera International Airport and a growing national airline, Rwanda is set to play a prominent role in the continent's expanding aviation sector.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
