African countries making a leap in the aircraft manufacturing industry
In a time when innovation is essential, amateur enthusiasts from all over the world are showcasing their ingenuity by building planes and helicopters out of salvaged parts, frequently with little official training.
The BBC drew attention to this pattern in 2013, which gave rise to the intriguing question: Why aren’t nations doing more to develop this talent? This question was especially pertinent to Africa, a region that has a wealth of untapped potential that is just waiting to be realized.
Now, several nations are leading the way as Africa makes substantial advancements in the aviation manufacturing sector. Just recently, an important milestone was reached in Tanzania with the introduction of an aircraft during the Tanzania International Manufacturers Expo 2023 (TIMEXPO). The Skyleader 600, an aeroplane that can transport two passengers in addition to the pilot, was unveiled at the event, which was hosted in the nation's capital, Dar es Salaam.
Focusing on long-distance business travel, David Grolig, the director of Airplanes Africa Limited (AAL), the aircraft assembling company, said that the company opened a branch office in Tanzania owing to the country’s conducive climate for investment and openness to adapt to new discoveries.
In 2024, the company will launch the Skyleader 500, a commercial aircraft that is currently being converted for use in agriculture. According to Grolig, the Skyleader 500 is reasonably priced, has low operating expenses, and requires little maintenance.
Tanzania is not the only country in Africa with aerospace aspirations. With a $1.8 billion market value, South Africa has the largest aerospace industry in Africa. Morocco is in second place with a $1.1 billion, followed by Tunisia with a $430 million sector. South Africa and Morocco are two of the top 40 nations in the world for the aerospace industry, according to a 2020 Airbus White Paper report.
At the 2022 Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) Expo at Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria, South Africa, the state-owned SAFAT Aviation Group of Sudan displayed the design and production of domestic aircraft. Mohammed Abdelhalim, a representative of SAFAT Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul (MRO), said events like AAD were crucial for showcasing their goods and that many had been shocked to learn that such things were available in Sudan.
The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology plans to assemble the Magnus light aircraft with $5 million in local funding from the Nigerian government. Hadi Sirika, Nigeria's minister of aviation, expressed confidence that the country's aviation sector would soon advance to domestic aircraft manufacturing. He was quoted on January 18, 2023 by Voice of Nigeria saying, ‘’By God's grace, we will continue to assemble the Magnus aircraft, and in the not-too-distant future, the civil aviation sector will start producing aeroplanes right here in the nation. “
The African space industry, which was estimated to be worth $19.49 billion in 2021, is expected to rise 16.16% to $22.64 billion by 2026, according to a report by Space in Africa. Additionally, a 2020 research by Space Hubs Africa, reported that these industries contribute in excess of $55.8 billion to the African economy.
South Africa and Morocco look to offer Africa's best chance for advancing its aerospace industry.
