“Boeing and the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development of Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen the West African country’s aviation sector,” the release said. “Africa continues to be a promising market with its overall air-traffic growth forecasted well above the average global growth rate over the next 20 years.”

In a strategic relationship with the aviation ministry and Nigerian airlines, Boeing will provide planning workshops, training, technical support and assessments to airline operators, the release said.

Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook projects Africa will need 1,170 airplanes over the next two decades, according to the release.

Earlier this week, Ethiopian Airlines Chief Executive Officer Mesfin Tasew Bekele reportedly expressed concern over the fact that his company has had to lease aircraft to sustain its ambitious expansion plans because of substantial delays in aircraft deliveries from Boeing.