Ethiopian Airlines has ordered ten more Boeing 777 Freighters — two current-generation 777Fs and eight of the in-development 777-8F — lifting its outstanding orders for the 777 family to 18 aircraft.

Boeing disclosed the order on 30 September. The deal builds on Ethiopian's 2024 order for eight 777-9 passenger jets, a purchase that made the Addis Ababa-based carrier the first African customer for that variant. With the new commitment, Ethiopian becomes the first airline on the continent to order the 777-8F freighter.

Neither aircraft carries a type certificate today. Boeing is targeting Federal Aviation Administration certification of the 777-9 passenger variant this year, with first deliveries planned for next year. The 777-8F is expected to follow, with certification planned within several years of the 777-9 — meaning Ethiopian's eight new freighters remain a medium-term fleet commitment rather than a near-term capacity addition.

The order nonetheless deepens Ethiopian's position as Africa's dominant cargo operator. The airline already flies 12 777Fs, according to fleet-data provider Cirium, alongside a widebody passenger fleet of nine 777s and 29 787s, plus 27 737 Max 8s on the narrowbody side.

"This agreement marks another significant milestone in strengthening Ethiopian Airlines' cargo capabilities while supporting the continued expansion of our global network," says Ethiopian group chief executive Mesfin Tasew.

"These aircraft will play a vital role in facilitating global trade, strengthening supply chain connectivity and further reinforcing Ethiopia's position as a leading cargo gateway between Africa and international markets," he adds.

The freighter commitment anchors Ethiopian's hub strategy at Addis Ababa, where cargo throughput underpins connections between African production centers and long-haul markets in Asia, Europe and the Americas. For Boeing, the order adds firm widebody freighter volume to a program still working through certification of its first 777X variant.

Ethiopian's total outstanding Airbus and Boeing backlog is substantial. Beyond the 18 777s, Cirium data shows the carrier holds orders for 26 787-9s, 42 737 Max 8s and 17 Airbus A350-900s — a combined pipeline of more than 100 aircraft for a fleet that already ranks among the largest in Africa.

The two incremental 777Fs in the new order will arrive considerably earlier than the 777-8Fs, offering near-term freighter capacity while the larger variant clears certification. How quickly the full freighter commitment converts into delivered aircraft will depend on Boeing's ability to hold the 777-9 certification timeline — the gating milestone for the entire 777X family.