AfBAA Unveils Aviation Research To Drive Investment Growth

The African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) has announced plans to release findings from a major research project designed to provide one of the most comprehensive assessments of Africa’s aviation sector.

According to the association, the study is expected to promote smarter investments, strengthen industry advocacy and support sustainable growth across the continent.

In a statement issued on Monday, AfBAA disclosed that the first phase of the multi-stage research initiative is already underway, with preliminary findings scheduled for presentation at the Aviation Africa Conference to be held in Nairobi, Kenya, from September 9 to 10, 2026.

The research is being conducted by independent behavioural economics and strategic marketing consultancy, Seefeld Group. It aims to provide a data-driven evaluation of business aviation activities across Africa, enabling operators, investors and policymakers to better understand the sector’s opportunities and challenges.

AfBAA noted that the lack of reliable industry data has long hindered planning and investment decisions within Africa’s aviation industry, adding that the new research seeks to bridge that gap.

Speaking on the initiative, AfBAA Chairperson, Dawit Lemma, described the project as a significant step towards providing accurate information that would support long-term growth and sustainability in the sector.

“This type of research is long overdue for our members and those seeking to operate effectively in Africa,” Lemma said.

He added that the study would provide stakeholders with factual information needed to make informed business decisions while helping to reshape perceptions of the industry.

“We anticipate that the data will provide foundations for smarter investment, create platforms from which to increase advocacy, enhance safety, and enable more resilient operations and business longevity,” he stated.

Lemma further explained that one of the study’s major objectives is to challenge long-standing assumptions and fragmented narratives that have shaped perceptions of business aviation in Africa.

“The initiative will aggregate and analyse raw data to avoid bias and negative perception and will contest existing information that is often fragmented, nominally anecdotal, and frequently based on perception, not reality,” he said.

According to him, the research will extend beyond aircraft movement and route analysis to examine how business aviation contributes to economic development across the continent.

“The holistic approach will look not just at which types of aircraft are flying which routes, but also at what they are doing and how business aviation activity affects economies,” Lemma added.

He expressed confidence that the findings would become a valuable resource for operators, aircraft owners and investors in making future operational and investment decisions.

The first phase of the study will focus on fleet analysis, economic impact assessments, maintenance trends and media perception of the industry. It will cover non-scheduled aviation activities, including business jets, turboprops, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.

President of Seefeld Group, Charles Porteous, described Africa as one of the world’s most dynamic yet least understood business aviation markets, stressing the importance of the research.

He said the study would provide operators, regulators and policymakers with credible, data-driven insights capable of improving decision-making, strengthening advocacy and supporting long-term industry growth.

“Africa represents one of the most dynamic yet least understood business aviation markets in the world,” Porteous said.

“Seefeld Group is honoured to provide AfBAA, operators and policymakers with credible insights that support better decision-making, stronger advocacy and sustainable sector growth through a deeper understanding of fleet composition, operational activity and business aviation utilisation across the continent.”