Boeing appoints Ethiopian Henok Shawl head of Africa operations; to open new office in Addis Ababa

Boeing has appointed Henok Teferra Shawl as the new managing director for its operations as the corporation moves to fortify its presence on the continent.

Ayoola Babalola • December 15, 2023

BOEING and HENOK SHAWL

Boeing has appointed Henok Teferra Shawl as the new managing director for its operations as the corporation moves to fortify its presence on the continent.

The announcement was made through a statement released on the company’s social media platform on Thursday.

According to the statement, Mr Shawl will be stationed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Boeing is set to inaugurate a new office in early 2024.

The company said Mr Shawl’s role in actualising Boeing’s operations plan across the continent.

“We’re thrilled to share that Henok Teferra Shawl is our new managing director for Boeing Africa, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Boeing plans to open an office in early 2024.

“Reporting to Kuljit Ghata-Aura, Teferra Shawl’s role will be pivotal in strengthening our operations across the entire African continent,” said the statement.

The statement further disclosed that Mr Shawl would report to Kuljit Ghata-Aura and play a crucial part in aligning with the sales and marketing team, headed by Anbessie Afework Yitbarek, to cater specifically to the needs of Boeing’s African customers.

“With an impressive career history in aviation, regulatory affairs, and government relations, Teferra Shawl brings a wealth of experience to his new position,” the statement added. “His appointment will align seamlessly with our sales and marketing team, led by Anbessie Afework Yitbarek, focusing on our African customers.”

With a career spanning aviation, regulatory affairs, and government relations, Mr Shawl is widely respected for his wealth of experience.

Before assuming this appointment, he served as the vice-president of strategic planning and alliance at Ethiopian Airlines. He was also the Ethiopian ambassador to France, Spain, and Portugal, among others.

Mr Shawl briefly served as the chief external affairs and regulatory officer at Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia PLC from May to November of 2023.

He is recognised as an experienced public servant and corporate executive proficient in negotiation, advocacy, operations management, international relations, and corporate communications.

He holds a master’s degree in International Law from the University of Paris, Panthéon-Sorbonne.

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