Africa's commercial airplane fleet is set to see substantial growth by 2043, with Boeing forecasting that 82 percent of the new aircraft deliveries will be for expansion rather than replacement, marking the highest growth rate of any region worldwide.

The US plane maker says Africa's expanding and youthful population is driving a surge in air travel, with the continent's commercial airplane fleet expected to more than double by 2043.

According to Boeing's 2024 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), the freighter fleet is expected to triple, driven by increased demand in export markets and the rise of e-commerce across the continent.

Alongside fleet growth, the aviation services sector is projected to expand at an annual rate of 5.7 percent, supported by the doubling of the region's aircraft numbers.

Furthermore, Africa's airlines will require a significant boost in personnel, with the need to recruit and train 76,000 new pilots, maintenance technicians, and cabin crew members, effectively tripling the existing workforce to accommodate the rising demand.

The report projects the delivery of over 800 new single-aisle jets, which will make up the majority of the growth.

"As demand for air travel rises, African airlines will need more single-aisle airplanes to efficiently serve major routes within Africa and key markets such as Europe and the Middle East," said Shahab Matin, Boeing's managing director for Commercial Marketing in the Middle East and Africa. "This builds on Boeing's nearly 80-year relationship with African airlines, with over 60 carriers currently operating around 500 Boeing aircraft."

The CMO anticipates passenger air traffic in Africa will increase by 6.4 percent annually, more than tripling the region's traffic by 2043. This growth rate ranks Africa as the third highest among 10 global regions tracked by Boeing.