Africa's Business Aviation Seen As Driver Of Development, Not Luxury

KIGALI, Rwanda—Business aviation in Africa is moving beyond the image of luxury corporate jets and emerging as a critical engine for economic growth, humanitarian missions and social development across the continent.

 

This was the message from Dawit Lemma, chair of the African Business Aviation Association (AFBAA) and founder and CEO of Ethiopia's Krimson Aviation, during his keynote speech at the opening of Aviation Africa 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda, on Sept. 4.

 

"When the FAA defines business aviation as simply 'using an aircraft as a business tool to save time,' it opens the door to a broader reality here," Lemma said.

 

"Take Wilson Airport in Nairobi, Kenya. Few outside the region know it is the second-busiest business aviation airport on the continent by aircraft movements. Operators there run scheduled commuter services early in the week, then switch to charter flights later, often using single-engine aircraft such as the Cessna Caravan. In many ways, the Caravan—not the Gulfstream or Bombardier—is the true backbone of African business aviation."

 

Lemma gave an example of a farmer flying his Cessna 172 from his fields to a distant trading post, saving himself days of rough travel. "That is business aviation," he said. 

 

"Anti-poaching patrols scanning the savannah from helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, guarding endangered wildlife—that, too, is business aviation. Humanitarian teams, rushing into flood-isolated villages with supplies, embody it as well. Even unmanned aircraft, buzzing quietly over farmland to map crops or inspect mining infrastructure, carry the spirit of business aviation," he added.

 

Indeed, Rwanda's Zipline project is saving lives in the country, using drones to deliver life-saving blood and medicine.

 

Lemma said Africa's skies are "misunderstood," with many thinking of the continent as a place for outdated aircraft and a dumping ground for older models from Asia.

 

"That narrative is no longer true," he said. "Today, Africa is leading the way in aviation innovation, boasting one of the highest percentages of new or newer pre-owned aircraft in green service anywhere in the world. Remarkably, 25% of commercial aircraft flying across the continent are next-generation models—a statistic that rivals, if not surpasses, many regions globally."

 

Lemma, who became the chairman for AFBAA on May 19, 2025, emphasized the association's role in connecting African aviation with global standards, working with the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Business Aviation Council.

 

"As chairman, my role is to amplify the industry's voice, foster collaboration and address structural challenges holding us back," he said. "My focus will be on strengthening safety culture, improving regulatory harmonization and expanding training programs. I also aim to make AFBAA a more inclusive platform—engaging operators, regulators, airports and new entrants such as [uncrewed aircraft systems], RPAS, and AAM players—so we are ready for the future of African aviation," he said.