Boeing lands jet deals with Nigeria, Saudi for $9.3 billion

- US plane maker Boeing has announced that it had agree to a deal worth $9.3 billion

- The deal involves selling 50 jets to Nigeria's Green Air and 30 to Saudi carrier flyadeal

- The company lauded the Nigeria accord, which includes a further 50 options, as the largest signed to date in Africa

US plane maker Boeing on Friday, December 21 said it had agreed deals worth an overall $9.3 billion to sell 50 jets to Nigeria's Green Air and 30 to Saudi carrier flyadeal.

The company specifically lauded the Nigeria deal, which includes a further 50 options, as the largest signed to date in Africa.

As with the Saudi deal, the Nigerian company, largely unknown in Nigeria, are purchasing single-aisle 737 MAX planes.

Flyeadeal is a subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Airlines and flies to a range of domestic destinations across the kingdom.

If all the purchase options are exercised, the two deals unveiled will be worth around $17.6 billion at list prices.

Green Airways owner Babawande Afolabi said the Nigerian end of the deal was a strong sign of growing African entrepreneurial dynamism and resilience.

According to him, Boeing saw that deal as a step towards construction of a solid Pan-African network, adding that the Africa aviation sector has "exceptional" potential.

Since launching the 737 MAX, Boeing said it has received more than 4,800 orders from more than 100 customers worldwide.

Boeing said it had landed 631 orders between January and September.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s first gold refinery, located in Ogun state, is scheduled to be completed by the end of June, according to Kian Smith Trade & Co Limited, the local company developing it.

It is expected to start with a production capacity of three tonnes per month of 99.99 per cent gold and one ton per month production of 99.99 per cent silver.