May 02, 2025
Boeing, the leading global aerospace company, officially inaugurated its African headquarters in Addis Ababa on Tuesday (April 22), aiming to serve as the company’s administrative hub for the region.
The inauguration ceremony, held in Ethiopia’s capital, was attended by several high-profile figures, including Minister of Transport and Logistics Alemu Sime and President of Boeing Middle East, Türkiye, Africa and Central Asia Kuljit Ghata-Aura, U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Ervin Massinga, Director General of the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority Getachew Mengistu, and Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew, among other executives.
In his address, Minister Alemu described the opening of Boeing’s African office in Addis Ababa as a key step toward realizing a global vision of a connected and prosperous Africa. He highlighted Ethiopia’s advancing capabilities in transport and logistics, emphasizing ongoing infrastructure modernization efforts spearheaded by the National Transport Council. The country is currently implementing a ten-year strategic roadmap aimed at reducing transport and trade-related costs and fostering continental integration, noted the Minister.
Minister Alemu also praised Boeing’s leadership for their confidence in Ethiopia, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening cooperation in manufacturing aircraft components, aviation training, and sustainable aviation fuel technologies. He reiterated Ethiopia’s vision to transform Ethiopian Airlines into a global supply chain leader through joint efforts and make Addis Ababa the epicenter of African aerospace innovation.
Boeing Middle East, Türkiye, Africa and Central Asia, President Kuljit Ghata-Aura also emphasized Boeing’s long-term commitment to Africa. “Boeing’s expanded footprint in Africa is a testament to our commitment to the region’s aerospace industry,” he said. He noted that the new headquarters would foster stronger collaboration with more than 60 African airline clients, enhance safety standards, develop strategic partnerships, and support the continued growth of Africa’s aviation sector, a vital contributor to the continent’s economy.
Henok Teferra Shawl, a former senior executive at Ethiopian Airlines and former Ethiopian Ambassador to several European states, has been appointed Managing Director of Boeing Africa and will lead the new office in Addis Ababa. In an interview with local media, Henok noted that Boeing has decided to base its African headquarters in Addis Ababa considering Ethiopia’s remarkable achievements in the aviation sector and its strategic position as a continental hub.
In August 2021, Ethiopian Airlines Group and the Boeing company entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at positioning Ethiopia as a central aviation hub for the continent under the shared vision: “Ethiopia for Africa.” The MoU reflects the shared commitment of Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines to building a world-class aviation partnership that ensures mutual benefit.
The inauguration of Boeing’s African headquarters is therefore expected to further solidify Ethiopia’s role as the continent’s leading aviation hub, paving the way for deeper collaboration with Ethiopian Airlines and broader industrial and logistical development across Africa, while also creating valuable opportunities for continental connectivity.