When it comes to defining Africa’s aviation future no one does it better than the Ethiopians. Ethiopian Airlines was founded in 1945 by Emperor Haile Selassie, and since then it has been constantly setting the bar higher for the rest. At its formation Africa’s fifth airline and until now it has grown to become the largest operator in Africa.
Nearly 80 years later, on March 27, 2025, the Airline announced its partnership with Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) worth a staggering USD 30 million. Archer Aviation is an American based company that deals with the manufacture and operation of air taxis, or rather eVTOLs as they are officially known as.
EVTOL stands for Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing; to simplify it further it’s simply a vehicle that can take to the skies vertically (Not horizontally as aeroplanes do) using electricity rather than the traditional petrol-based fuels (think of a helicopter that uses its battery juice and not jet fuel).
The partnership was signed under the Launch edition program. The program, which was launched by archer aviation, seeks out commercial interests in regions that are deemed to be early adopters of eVTOLs.
In its current form the framework will focus on establishing an air taxi network in the region. This will mostly entail creating the infrastructure, regulations and support to enable future deployment of eVTOLs in Ethiopia and possibly in East Africa
According to Archer its goal is “to transform urban travel, replacing 60–90 minute commutes by car with estimated 10–20-minute electric air taxi flights that are safe, sustainable, low-noise and cost-competitive with ground transportation.”
The aircraft can accommodate a total of four passengers and a single pilot. This model will serve to reduce traffic congestion on roads and is also better for the planet as it uses green energy.
Ethiopia has a history of many firsts in the continent in terms of aviation among them: first to operate the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Africa, first to acquire the Airbus a350 in Africa and had the second women ever in Africa to commandeer a Boeing 787.
Ethiopian Airlines has once more taken the crucial first step in writing Africa’s aviation future, kudos to them!
