AfBAA begins research to ‘better understand’ business aviation in Africa

The research will encompass non-scheduled aviation activity, including business jets, turboprops, helicopters and UAVs.

The African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) has launched the first of a multi-phase research initiative to advance the “understanding, perception and knowledge” of the sector across Africa. 

The first phase, an iterative, data-first technical approach, will comprise fleet, economic and maintenance analyses, as well as a review of media perceptions of the industry. The research will encompass non-scheduled aviation activity, including business jets, turboprops, helicopters and UAVs.

The initial results are expected to be presented at Aviation Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, on 9th-10th September 2026. The research is being conducted by consultancy Seefeld Group. 

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

“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.  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. This is the type of information members can use to make informed decisions about future operational activity.”

Charles Porteous, president of Seefeld Group said: “Africa represents one of the most dynamic yet least understood business aviation markets in the world. Seefeld Group is honoured to be selected to provide AfBAA, operators, and policymakers with credible, data-driven insight that supports better decision-making, stronger advocacy, and long-term sector growth through a deeper understanding of fleet composition, operational activity, and how business aviation is utilized across the continent.”