The news that President Buhari has put up two of the 10 private jets in the presidential fleet for sale has caused quite a stir.

While many congratulated the President, the majority of Nigerians criticized the move, either saying it came too late to matter or that selling two and keeping 8 presidential jets for his use was still corruption.



We have decided to take a close look at the presidential jets of other African leaders as a way to compare or contrast with the 8 presidential jets likely still remaining in the fleet.

1. Tunisia

In 2012, when the new Tunisian government began ruling after the ousting of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the former presidential aircraft, an Airbus A340-500, was put up for sale, according to reports in the French media.

The government of Tunisia now operates one presidential jet, a Boeing 737 BBJ. The Airbus A340-500 is yet to be sold, but has never been used for official travel and has been stored since 2011.

2. Algeria

While he may have other aircraft in his presidential fleet the Algerian president rides in a gigantic A340-500 private jet that runs on four engines.

The plane which normally is supposed to carry about 150 passengers but this one is customized to cater for the presidents luxury needs.

It has a private bedroom, a fully equipped shower room and high quality finish. It is believed that the A340 can last airborne for up to 14 hours, non-stop.

3. Ivory Coast

The Ivorian government uses a Gulfstream IV as a VIP aircraft and also a government Boeing 727-200WGL. The Boeing 727 is a midsized, narrow-body three-engined jet aircraft that can carry 149 to 189 passengers.

It is intended for short and medium-length flights, the 727 can use relatively short runways at smaller airports. It has three Pratt & Whitney JT8D engines below the T-tail, one on each side of the rear fuselage with a center engine that connects through an S-duct to an inlet at the base of the fin.

4. Kenya

The government of Kenya uses 3 presidential aircraft, a Fokker 70 (F-70), which was purchased in 2015. Before 2015, the Kenyan president primarily used Kenya Airways for his international travel.

Aside from the F-70, the Presidential fleet also includes a Bombardier Dash 8 and an Aerospatiale Puma, mostly for domestic travel.

5. South Africa

The South African presidential fleet contains about 5 aircraft. This includes a Boeing 737 (BBJ), which the president uses to travel frequently.

The fleet also operates two Falcon 50 and a Falcon 900B Fleet, 550/1 Citation II, and a Global Express XRS is hired to escort the President on long flights as a back-up aircraft. The Falcon 900 is normally used by the Deputy President and high-ranking cabinet ministers.

There are also reportedly plans to add to this number as in 2015 the South African president, president Jacob Zuma, had asked Armscor to procure a business jet with the capability of carrying at least 30 passengers and travel long range distances which is much larger than the current presidential jet.

6. Zimbabwe

The President of Zimbabwe does not have a private jet, at least not anymore, The president's own British Aerospace 146–200 Series aircraft ordered in the 1980s was retired after long use and now the president travels via a chartered Air Zimbabwe Boeing 767-200ER aircraft, which is part of the national airline's fleet.

Surprisingly, President Mugabe will sometimes share the plane with commercial passengers on scheduled flights.

7. Tanzania

The Tanzanian president primarily uses a Gulfstream G550, which the government flight agency operates for VIP transports.

Aside from the Gulfstream, the presidential fleet also contains 2 other VIP aircraft a Fokker F-50 and F-28 for internal and regional destinations as well, bringing the number of aircraft to three.

8. Ghana

The Ghanaian presidential jet is a Dassault Falcon 900EX. In March 2016, during a take-off at the Kotoka International Airport, the jet caught fire.

The fire was said to have been caused by a friction between the two main left wheels of the aircraft and the runway surface. It was however brought under control by fire service personnel from the Air Force Base and that of the main airport.

9. Bostwana

As at 2015, the Bostwana government used a Bombardier Global Express, it previously operated a Gulfstream IV as a VIP transport.

The Gulfstream IV (or G-IV or GIV) and derivatives are a family of twinjet aircraft, mainly for private or business use. It was designed and built by Gulfstream Aerospace, a General Dynamics company based in Savannah, Georgia, United States from 1985 until 2003.

10. Burkina Faso

The government of Burkina Faso reportedly has two aircraft in its presidential fleet. The president primarily uses a special Boeing 727 for important flights. However, a Falcon 900 has been added, and is the type frequently in use now.

11. Egypt

The Egyptian president has at least four aircraft in the presidential fleet. An Airbus A340-200 along with a number of business jets including the Gulfstream IV and Dassault Falcon 20s.

Before receiving an airplane as a gift from Saudi Arabia to Egyptian President Sadat. Presidents usually traveled using a rented airplane from the National Egyptian Air company, Egypt Air.


Source: http://nigeriabreakingnews.com.ng/see-11-african-presidents-with-the-most-presidential-jets/