( CNN ) -- Private-aircraft manufacturers are increasingly targeting Africa 's growing economies as the resource-rich continent is quietly emerging as an important hub in global business aviation . In a continent where commercial routes are often limited , a growing number of smaller , privately owned planes are now taking to the skies , creating new connections in and out of Africa . Driven mainly by entrepreneurs and wealthy individuals involved in the natural resources , banking and telecoms sectors , the continent 's burgeoning market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years . `` Africa is an emerging market where we see a positive future , '' says Robert Habjanic , sales director at plane manufacturer Bombardier Business Aircraft . `` Over the next 20 years , we do forecast 810 business jets to be sold into Africa . '' The sector was given a big lift in May with the creation of the African Business Aviation Association ( AfBAA ) , the continent 's first initiative bringing together aircraft operators and other industry players to support their interests and promote the benefits of business aviation . AfBAA founder and chairman Tarek Ragheb says that Africa requires a well-developed business aviation industry to support the continent 's flourishing economies and realize its business potential . He describes Africa as `` China in our backyard , '' a continent with tremendous amounts of resources that is , however , being hampered by steep infrastructure challenges . `` If you have a requirement for an NGO or an entrepreneur or a government agency to be able to conduct its business , the options of using rail or a good highway are simply not there , '' says Ragheb . `` So for the growth of the continent there must be an ultra-efficient means of travel and that is where business aviation could come in . '' Read related : Low-cost airline in Africa by easyJet founder . For Ragheb , improving intra-African connections is key to the development of the continent . `` Flying out of Africa is not difficult , '' he explains . `` You can go from Lagos to London , you can go from Kinshasa to Belgium , that 's not a problem -- the challenge is intra-Africa flights . And you find that for African growth you 're going to need intra-Africa flights and this is where the focus [ of AfBAA ] is going to be . '' Business aviation expert Alan Peaford says that only 20 % of flights in the continent are with African airlines , the remaining 80 % being with international carriers . `` What this means is that if you have a cement factory in three or four countries , you may have to travel from country A to country B via Paris , London or Dubai rather than direct , '' says Peaford , editor-in-chief of Arabian Aerospace magazine and online news service . `` Hence , as greater investment from China , Saudi etc . leads to more industrial development , owners , investors and managers need to be agile and not waste days on what should be a three-hour flight , '' he adds . `` So business jet usage is growing . '' Read related : Bringing the Dreamliner to Africa . Although exact figures about corporate aircraft in Africa are notoriously difficult to find , the AfBAA puts the number of business jets in the continent between 400 and 600 . These planes are typically owned by high net-worth individuals , wealthy investors , as well as governments and corporations . And not surprisingly , the biggest growth is recorded in countries where there is an abundance of natural resources . `` Africa 's rich in gas , minerals , oil , gold , platinum , you name it , '' says Ettore Poggi , managing director of South Africa for ExecuJet Aviation Group , which offers services including corporate aircraft charter , mangement and maintenance . `` We 're finding a lot of interest from overseas companies , focusing their attentions on the resources of Africa . Clearly , that bodes well for us because it means we have to take those people to these places in Africa . '' While South Africa remains the traditional dominant player in the market , other countries have also started to make significant strides . In Nigeria , the continent 's biggest oil producer , the business aviation market is growing at a rapid pace , industry insiders say . `` In the last 18 months we 've grown by over 200 % in terms of travel , '' says Segun Demuren , chief executive and founder of Evergreen Apple Nigeria , a fixed-based operator offering various services for private-aircraft users . Demuren says that Evergreen , which began operations in July 2011 , is doing `` 75 to 80 movements [ flights ] a week '' and is targeting a 50 % growth for next year . `` I 'm very sure we 'll meet that instantly , '' he says . Read related : Africa 's daily commuting grind . Although the conditions for the market 's expansion are certainly there , there are still infrastructure , policy and logistical challenges that the industry needs to navigate if it is to meet its full potential . In many cases , entrance , exit and over-fly legislation varies from country to country , leading to significant delays . Other issues include landing permits and airport fees as well as maintenance support and pilot training and licensing . Ragheb says that a common set of standards needs to be adopted throughout the continent `` so that you have the ability to fly into Africa with a sense of security , that you know that safety and the procedures are all in place . '' But first of all , he says , needs to come a true `` understanding and acceptance '' that business aviation can be a valuable asset for Africa 's growth . `` It 's a real business tool , '' he says . `` When you bring business aviation and you let it flourish in your country , you 're going to attract those investors that are going to equal money and development and projects . '' Analysts say that a thriving business aviation industry can only be good news for commercial air travel as well . The arrival of the industry in a country is a good indicator of its growth potential , Peaford says , acting as a strong incentive for commercial airlines to step in and establish new routes . `` Watch where the business aviation is going , '' he says . `` You can see the countries where business aircraft are going to and often you 're going to see the commercial airlines going there , about a year , 18 months later . `` It 's always 'watch the business jets ' first , that 's where you follow the money . ''
Africa 's business aviation market is expected to grow significantly . There are between 400 and 600 business jets in Africa , say experts . The continent has a lot of untapped potential for growth because it lacks the infrastructure needed to support large numbers of planes ( like Europe ) or even private aircraft ( like China ). A new industry body calls for common standards throughout the continent .