Boeing to open office in Ethiopia or Kenya

Tigrai Online, October 25, 2015

Boeing the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world is looking to open an east African office in Ethiopia or Kenya. Boeing Company senior vice president Marc Allen said on Thursday the American giant airplane maker is assessing factors like human resource, infrastructure and existing frameworks for partnerships in the two Addis Ababa and Nairobi.

Ethiopia is one of the largest Boeing’s customers in the world and Ethiopia has an excellent relationship with Boeing. Ethiopia is the second country to order and receive the cutting adage 787 Dream liner airplanes next to Japan.

Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam revealed in early October 2015 the company’s plan to place an order for Boeing's 777X long-range jetliners before the end of 2015 the Wall Street Journal reported. Ethiopian Airlines is considering buying 15 to 20 of Boeing's new 777X planes worth $7.4 billion.

Boeing executives have been on a fact-finding tour of Ethiopia, South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya to enter to the markets of the three corners of sub-Saharan Africa.

If Ethiopia plays its cards right, there is a greater chance Boeing might choose Ethiopia over Kenya. The three main factors that could help Ethiopia are, very soon Ethiopia will produce abundant electricity which will provide cheap energy, Ethiopia has huge population, and Ethiopia is more powerful and secure than Kenya is considering the threat by Al-shabab.