Addis Ababa, July 8, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s Bahir Dar University and Boeing company have signed a landmark long-term partnership agreement to establish an Aviation Innovation Center at the university, marking a major step toward strengthening the East African nation’s rapidly expanding aviation sector, advancing aerospace engineering education, and developing a highly skilled workforce.
The agreement provides for the establishment of the Aviation Innovation Center at the Bahir Dar Institute of Technology (BiT), where students, researchers, and innovators will have access to state-of-the-art facilities for practical learning, advanced research, innovation, and technology development.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Boeing Africa Managing Director Henok Teferra said African airlines are expected to require more than 1,200 new aircraft and over 74,000 additional aviation professionals over the next two decades.
He said the partnership will help strengthen the capacity of aerospace engineering students by equipping them with industry-relevant skills and practical experience needed to meet the continent’s growing aviation demands.
Henok added that Boeing Africa will also provide training opportunities for talented high school and secondary school students to help nurture future aerospace professionals and expand Ethiopia’s aviation talent pipeline.
For his part, Bahir Dar University President Mengesha Ayene said the agreement will deepen cooperation between the two sides in aerospace education, research, innovation, and technology transfer.
He noted that the university is committed to building a globally competitive center of excellence in aviation education and research, adding that the Aviation Innovation Center will be equipped with modern technologies, including 3D printers, flight simulators, engineering design software, and drone assembly kits to provide students with hands-on training.
The collaboration is expected to support Ethiopia’s broader efforts to strengthen its aviation and aerospace ecosystem by expanding research and innovation, fostering technology commercialization, and producing a workforce capable of meeting the evolving needs of the industry.