Moscow targets Africa with airplanes in Nairobi pitch

Former Afreximbank president Jean-Louis, ex-Kenya Airways CEO Titus Naikuni and Finance director Alex Mbugua when they signed a financing deal in 2012. FILE PHOTO | NMG

By JAMES KARIUKI

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Summary

• Afreximbank has provided a Sh2 trillion ($20bn) fund to support Africa’s airlines including national flag carrier Kenya Airways
• African countries predominantly make aircraft purchases from western firms, majorly US Boeing and European Airbus.
• However, old Soviet-era cargo planes still operate in the African airspace.

A Pan-African bank on Monday unveiled a special credit facility to support airlines and governments seeking funds to buy Russian-made commercial aircraft.

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) global head of client relations Rene Awambeng said it had struck a deal with the Russian Export Sector (REC) where African-based operators will be funded to make the purchases.

Afreximbank has provided a Sh2 trillion ($20bn) fund to support Africa’s airlines, including national flag carrier Kenya Airways, and has promised to provide further funds to improve aviation infrastructure.

African countries predominantly make aircraft purchases from western firms, majorly US Boeing and European Airbus.

However, old Soviet-era cargo planes still operate in the African airspace.

Speaking in Nairobi during a meeting with industry players, Mr Awambeng said increased intra-Africa trade, aviation infrastructure and availability of higher disposable incomes among Africans informed the decision to provide the credit facility.

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Objectives

“The effective movement of goods and people is fundamental to Africa’s trade, growth and development objectives.

Consequently, improving international, regional and domestic air transport has become a key priority area,” he said.

Russian civil aircraft as well as manufacturers of air traffic control equipment were in Kenya as part of a three-country intra-Africa roadshow to meet public and private sector aviation stakeholders to promote the Russian aviation industry products.

The one-day workshop saw Russian aircraft models showcased. The financier has in the past organised aircraft financing for the purchase of nine new Boeing 787-800s (Dreamliners) (B787s), 1 Boeing 777-300ER (B777-300ER) and 10 Embraer which was the first phase of Kenya Airways’ fleet upgrade and a key component of its 10-year business plan for the period 2012 to 2021.

Sukhoi’s REC is a state-owned export promotion development institute.