The African job market is more and more drawing interest in almost all fields of activity. The Chinese aeronautics have set their eyes on the black continent because they are very much aware of the African potential and they are not that popular in western-based airlines.
Considering the fact that China’s aeronautics is growing at a very fast path, it is under the obligation to acquire new markets. Beijing is on a mission to convince Africa to buy civil and commercial planes, since by the way it looks, the Western world has turned its back on the country.
The Chinese targeting strategy on the African market seems to have been a success since a lot of African countries have bought some models of its MA60, a turboprop with propellers. Cameroun got 3 of them: one for the Army and the 2 others for the Camair-Co airline. Congo and Zimbabwe also use MA60 with 3 models for their respective airlines Air Congo and Air Zimbabwe.
Those planes have been acquired through a marketing strategy known to be popular (buy 2 get 1 free). Therefore MA60 is the first of a list of products that is getting longer and longer. The Asian giant has indeed built C919 with a capacity of 190 passengers, as a way to have diversify in its offers and compete against Boeing B737 and Airbus A320.
However, despite all the efforts that have been put into creating it, Western countries are not interested in trying those new products. So obviously China is going to turn to Africa hoping to show out its skills in civil aeronautics and find potential buyers.
The African sky business is not that powerful but it is paving its way one step at a time with the expansion of some companies like Ethiopian, Kenya Airways or Royal Air Maroc. Most of the African air carrier are in reality regional airlines, that is what make them the perfect target for the Chinese C919.
Well aware of that situation, the Chinese government has already started the construction of the C929 with the objective of breaking the monopoly of the Boeing 777 and 787 and Airbus A350 and A380. The 929 will have a capacity of between 250 and 350 seats. That will allow African airlines to do long-range flights. Basically, one can say that the Africa and China route will definitely know a reinforcement of their trade exchanges in the upcoming years.