Aviation Africa opens under the theme Bridging Skies and Leveraging Growth

Under the theme Bridging Skies and Leveraging Growth, Alan Peaford the conference chair began proceedings remembering the late Nick Fadugba (former Chair of AfBAA) and the role he played in promoting aviation development throughout Africa. 

Peaford also underlined that Africa represents the last frontier for aviation development. However, he warned that challenges remain in realising aviation’s full potential on the continent with ongoing protectionism practices and in some cases impotent government transport strategies hindering growth. “Operating costs in Africa are among the highest in the world and airport monopolies continue to blight the industry,” he said. “It’s time to prove actions speak louder than words.”

With 34 African countries represented at the event, it is a truly pan-African summit continued Peaford, as he underlined that the message from Aviation Africa is clear. “We must tell how it is. We need to be honest, not say one thing and do another.”

In addition to the main conference stage, this year’s summit features the Insight Theatre, which Peaford explained “enables us to dig deeper than some of the top line discussion son the main stage and spark awareness and action for Africa’s aviation future.

There are also many beacons of light across the industry. “While many parts of the world are struggling with diversity issues, Africa can pride itself with an increasing growth of strong women leaders.”

Poppy Khoza, director of civil aviation, SACAA then proceeded to welcome delegates, exhibitors and ministers highlighting the importance of events such as Aviation Africa in bringing the different stakeholders together to build the industry. “Despite past social and humanitarian challenges that are all too often associated with Africa, there is now huge potential for growth.”

A keynote and address was then followed by the Hon Barbara Creecy, minister of transport, Republic of South Africa saying that the aviation sector promotes inclusive growth and job creation.

“Prior to the Covid 19 pandemic, the aviation sector in Africa supported 444,000 direct and six and a half million indirect jobs,” she said.

“It created $63 million worth of economic activity and amounted to nearly 3% of Africa’s GDP, and 2.2% of its employment.  By further interrogating the aerotropolis concept, strengthening cooperation amongst African nations, we can enhance our collective air transport network and support greater regional and trade tourism.”

A recent report by IATA estimated that over the next 20 years, air transport in South Africa is estimated to grow resulting in an additional 21million passenger journeys by 2037.

“If this target is met, air transport would support nearly 800,000 direct jobs in South Africa,” said Creecy. “For this to happen, we must work together to harmonise regulations, standards, procedures and foster greater collaboration between our aviation authorities. This will not only streamline operations, but also create a more cohesive and efficient aviation eco-system across the continent in the aftermath of the pandemic.”

Creecy added that nations must 'invest in and develop greener technologies' that minimise the carbon footprint and explore alternative fuels that will support the growth of aviation - without compromising health of the planet.

Creecy ended her speech by inviting Olivier Kabera, the minister of state for infrastructure for the Republic of Rwanda, to the stage to officially hand over the baton for next year’s Aviation Africa which will take place in Kigali, Rwanda.