From Learning to Lift-Off: Cultivating Egypt’s Aviation Future

By Kuljit Ghata-Aura, President of Boeing Middle East, Türkiye, Africa and Central Asia

With Africa projected to need 76,000 new aviation professionals by 2043, Egypt has a unique opportunity to take the lead in this sector. Currently, the aviation industry in Egypt employs 56,100 people and generates USD 3.5 billion in economic output. Cairo International Airport is set to become a primary hub for long-haul travel, while Cairo Air Cargo City’s strategic location at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East, and Europe creates additional opportunities to enhance Egypt’s logistics sector.

As Egypt modernizes its aviation infrastructure and enhances international connectivity, it is well-positioned to strengthen its role as a regional hub that not only drives economic growth but also nurtures a new generation of aviation talent.

Central to Egypt's ambitions in the aviation sector is the country’s Vision 2030, which prioritizes education and training as essential components for developing a competitive and skilled workforce. This planemphasizes the importance of a robust education system, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), to foster creativity, critical thinking, and technical expertise among young Egyptians. The goal extends beyond simply preparing students for the current job market; it aims to equip them with the skills necessary to seize opportunities in the rapidly evolving global aviation industry.

Boeing shares this vision and is privileged to contribute to Egypt’s talent development efforts. For nearly six decades, Boeing has partnered with Egypt, providing aircraft and services to meet its commercial and military needs. Our community engagement initiatives focus on nurturing young talent and enhancing skill development through strategic partnerships with local organizations.

Since 2007, Boeing has invested $2 million in these programs, positively impacting more than 22,000 young Egyptians and helping them unlock their potential. These efforts align with Egypt’s priorities, ensuring that all students– regardless of their backgrounds– gain access to opportunities that foster both aviation-specific proficiency and essential soft skills.

Boeing’s partnership with Cairo University, which began in 2016, initially focused on aeronautical engineering and has since expanded to include a wider range of STEM fields. Additionally, we have collaborated with local aviation stakeholders to prepare the next generation of pilots, maintenance engineers, and other aviation professionals with the skills necessary for Egypt’s aviation and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) servicesgrowth.

Through our partnership with Education for Employment, Boeing has helped equip young Egyptians with the employability skills needed for a seamless transition from school to meaningful careers. Additionally, we have established a STEM Center in Cairo - a collaboration with Amideast/Egypt - that has already provided hands-on learning experiences and training to almost3,000 students and teachers. Boeing is also working closely with INJAZ Egypt to deliver a course on sustainable aviation and support early-stage entrepreneurs with an interest in aerospace.

These programs are designed not only to impart technical expertise but also to foster problem-solving skills, leadership, effective communication, and a spirit of collaboration. Through these initiatives, the aviation industry is shaping a new generation of professionals empowered to drive Egypt’s economic growth and enhance its global competitiveness.

As Egypt continues its journey to becoming a regional aviation hub, Boeing remains committed to expanding its workforce development initiatives to ensure the country has the homegrown capabilities necessary to support air traffic growth.