The African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) has commissioned what it described as the most comprehensive data-driven study of business aviation across the African continent to date, with initial results expected to be presented at the Aviation Africa event in Nairobi on September 9-10.
The research is being conducted by independent consultancy Seefeld Group, led by its president Charles Porteous, and will cover fleet composition, economic impact, maintenance activity and media perceptions of the sector. It will encompass non-scheduled aviation activity including business jets, turboprops, helicopters and UAVs.
The first phase takes an iterative, data-first technical approach comprising fleet, economic and maintenance analyses. AfBAA said the initiative aims to replace fragmented and anecdotal information with a unified dataset that can be used by members to make informed operational decisions.
“This type of research is long overdue for our members and those seeking to operate effectively in Africa,” said Dawit Lemma, chairperson of AfBAA. “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.”
Lemma added that the research would look beyond which aircraft types are flying which routes, examining what they are doing and how business aviation activity affects economies across the continent.
Porteous said: “Africa represents one of the most dynamic yet least understood business aviation markets in the world. Seefeld Group is honoured to provide AfBAA, operators and policymakers with credible, data-driven insight that supports better decision-making, stronger advocacy and long-term sector growth.”
The project is the latest initiative from AfBAA’s current executive, which has doubled the association’s membership to 55 since taking office in May 2025.
