HI Uplift: Rotortrade’s four growth sectors for African helis

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by Mike Stones

29 August 2025

Helicopter tourism is one of four key sectors tipped for growth in Africa. (Photocredit: Shutterstock).

Four key sectors will dominate growth in the small but emergent African helicopter industry, according to Aurélien Blanc, Rotortrade’s head of region for APAC, Middle East and Africa. They are oil and gas, government and VIP transport, humanitarian and medical transport and to a lesser extent tourism, he says, based on the dealer’s recent report Market Analysis for Africa 2024–2025.

“For oil and gas exploitation, Nigeria and partly Angola enjoys robust demand due to localisation of offshore production,” Blanc tells us. “Local firms are acquiring assets from foreign oil multinationals. It presents new demand for helicopters to facilitate offshore logistics.”

Government and VIP transport is the second growth sector identified by the helicopter dealer. “African countries are also acquiring second-hand Leonardo and Airbus helicopters for transport and security missions,” he adds. “The segment is robust as opposed to exclusively civilian segments.”

The third growth sector – humanitarian and medical transport – is seeing a significant change in the helicopter preferences of intergovernmental organisations such as the United Nations (UN) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

Russian aircraft

“UN and WFP are moving away from the use of Russian aircraft and are leaning toward the use of second-hand Western models,” says Blanc. Moreover, new markets including Morocco, Ghana, Tanzania and Rwanda will continue to provide new impetus for use of medical and emergency use, he adds.

Commenting on the potential of tourism, Blanc says: “Though noted less prominently, as a logistical and safari centre, Kenya has promise – but also suffers from fiscal and regulatory uncertainty.”

Key trends that will shape the African helicopter market in the years up to 2030 include further dependence on second-hand imports to ease renewal pressure arising from ageing fleets, oil and government-directed orders and increased regional diversity. Pre-owned preferences include models from leading manufacturers such as Bell, Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo. Buyers will prioritise pre-owned helicopters, which offer affordability and good spares coverage.

On oil and government-directed orders, Nigeria and Angola will remain repeat customers of the offshore energy sector and governments will expand their fleet of VIP and security vehicles, according to Rotortrade.

The dealer also sees significant increased regional diversity in the African helicopter market. Key factors include companies’ expansion in the submarkets of Ghana, Tanzania, Morocco and Rwanda for emergency/medical missions.

‘Long-term viability’

But the structure of the African helicopter industry remains fragmented. “There are very few maintenance, repair and overhaul organisation [MRO] facilities beyond foreign OEMs or organisations such as Rotortrade increasing local footprints,” says Blanc. “Long-term viability will depend on in-continent bases and spare pools for minimising downtime.” (Rotortrade is on a mission to bring more turnkey capability to the continent).

Sourcing external funding remains difficult; escrow and oil-based revenue models are said to be recent solutions for Nigeria. Regulatory challenges (restrictions on foreign ownership, importation taxes in countries such as Kenya) can also hold back modernisation.

Aviation data consultancy Amstat identifies 818 helicopters in Africa. South Africa accounts for 41% of the total with Nigeria accounting for 12%, Angola 7% and Kenya 6%. Popular models include the Airbus H125 and the Bell 407.

Rotortrade’s report also explores sustainability factors – although green technologies do not yet influence procurement decisions, it acknowledges. However, environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards favoured by international organisations and development banks are beginning to influence fleet renewal and modernisation.

“Zero- to near-zero adoption of SAF or eVTOL expected before 2030. Affordability, mission suitability and serviceability remain areas of focus,” he says.

International support

By 2030, helicopter markets in the major countries will probably be significantly bigger. Much will depend on how the continent reacts to diminishing international support set against increased freedom to manage their own resources, says Rotortrade.

Unlocking the potential of the African helicopter market will depend on a “nuanced and highly localised approach,” according to Blanc. “Success requires more than competitive aircraft – it demands presence, patience and the ability to adapt to local business practices. You can’t do it from the outside; you need to invest time on the ground.”

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