The Air Peace contract also includes purchase rights for another 20 Embraer 195 E2 jets. Credit: Clemens Vasters.

Nigerian airline Air Peace has placed an order for ten new Embraer E195-E2 jets, becoming the first E-Jets E2 operator in Africa.

With all purchase rights exercised, the value of the $2.12bn contract is based on current list prices.

The Air Peace contract also includes purchase rights for 20 additional E195-E2.

Embraer Commercial Aviation chief commercial officer Arjan Meijer said: “The airline was established to bring highly skilled work opportunities to the people of Nigeria and to boost connectivity, which in turn significantly contributed to the economy in the region.

“The market in Africa presents significant opportunities for airlines to deliver the connectivity that the whole continent needs.”

“Air Peace has delivered successfully on both aims and has become a fast growing successful airline. It’s great to now have them onboard the E2 as well.”

Starting flight operations in 2014, Air Peace intends to address the significant untapped demand in the African market with the E195-E2 aircraft.

Its subsidiary Air Peace Hopper started operating six ERJ145 jets last year on short thin routes.

Meijer added: “The market in Africa presents significant opportunities for airlines to deliver the connectivity that the whole continent needs.

“Aircraft, however, must be right-sized to develop those routes profitably; more than 90% of intra-African flights depart with fewer than 150 passengers onboard. And more than 70% of markets are served with less than one flight per day.”

Last month, Embraer delivered the first E175 to Mauritania Airlines, as part of a $93.8m deal signed by the airline for two E175 jets last year.

Embraer signed a $243m contract last December with the Government of Kiribati and Air Kiribati for two E190-E2 E-Jets, as well as two purchase rights for the same aircraft type.