US multinational corporation Boeing on Tuesday launched two new offices in Johannesburg and Nairobi, Kenya, to mark an important highlight for the company as it continues to spread out its global footprint.
The world’s largest aerospace company said Africa would be in need of 1,150 new airplanes over the coming 20 years as the most recent Current Market Outlook report forecasted that air traffic to and from the continent is predicted to grow by about 6.1 percent yearly.
The Johannesburg office will be run by Boeing International headed by J. Miguel Santos, managing director for Sub-Saharan Africa, and director for international sales, Africa, for Boeing commercial airplanes.
Chamsou And jorin, the director for government affairs and market development, will be situated in the Nairobi office.
In a statement, Santos said taking the basic steps to set up a firm presence on the continent was an apparent choice for Boeing.
“Africa is not fresh territory for Boeing. Since the introduction of the jet airplane, Boeing aircraft have created the backbone of the continent’s commercial fleet and Boeing goes on to be one of the biggest US-based companies doing business on the continent,” Santos said.
“The aerospace industry needs to begin paying closer attention to Africa, because this continent is evidently on the move economically and all the trends are pointing in the right direction for the growth of the sector. Our job is to be at the lead in understanding these budding trends and opportunities.”
Thew firm also offers funds to fortify local communities by working with in-country associates through the company’s Global Corporate Citizenship (GCC) organization.
It has been investing in community projects in sub-Saharan Africa for almost a decade, with more than $5.7 million invested to date. As part of its outreach efforts, Boeing engages with higher education institutions and universities.
Most lately, the firm incorporated South Africa and Ethiopia into the International Business Internship program where university students spend six months in Seattle interning with Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
