Aviation AFRICA returns to Kigali in September 2025

The event will be officially hosted by the Government of Rwanda, the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority, RwandAir, and Rwanda Airports Company, promises to spotlight the many changes that have happened to propel Africa towards its aviation vision.

Under the theme “Collaborating to unlock Africa’s aviation growth”, the annual event brings together leaders from government, civil aviation authorities, airlines, airports, manufacturers, MRO providers and business aviation, plus suppliers from across the whole industry spectrum.

Speakers from across the industry including CEOs of Africa’s leading airlines, will be sharing their plans – and concerns at the event. Host airline, Rwanda’s chief executive Yvonne Makola will be revealing her strategies for their development and growth, particularly in line with the new Kigali international airport at Bugesera.

Upon completion, the airport will feature a 130,000-square-meter main terminal, capable of handling 8 million passengers annually, with potential expansion to accommodate over 14 million passengers in subsequent decades. Additionally, it will include a dedicated cargo terminal designed to manage 150,000 tons of cargo each year. Dar Al-Handasah (commonly known as DAR) has been a key player in the design, engineering, and project management aspects, and the company will be a platinum sponsor of the event, meeting supply chain, and discussing the development on stage.

Other airports from across Africa will be on stage to address infrastructure issues that have dogged the projected growth. And this year security – at airports, and in the sky – comes under the spotlight.

This year’s Aviation AFRICA sees an in-depth look at the advanced aviation mobility, with the collaboration of the African Drones Forum. It is hoped a flying example of an eVTOL will be on display, while Ethiopian Airlines will be explaining more about its ambition to build an air taxi network in the region, Manufacturer Archer is planning to provide Ethiopian Airlines with a team of pilots, technicians, and engineers to support the initial deployment of early launch edition Midnight aircraft in Ethiopia.

While regulators like the RCAA have already introduced guidelines for the newest of aviation models, the regulators will be on show with AFCAC secretary general Adefunke Adeyemi, a panel of civil aviation DGs, and other industry specialists from ATM to look at some of the issues – including unblocking barriers to the SAATM initiative to open Africa’s skies.

The Airline Association of Southern Africa (AASA) CEO Aaron Munetsi, will bring together a panel that spans the continent to address the geopolitical challenges – as well as the internal frustrations – that “Collaboration is a critical success factor in the airline industry,” Munetsi said. How that applies in today’s world will be a key point in his session hamper “the growth of aviation.

Safety, risk management, air traffic management, wildlife threats, sustainability and of course MRO will be offering great debate and with the partnerships and support from organisations like the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) and the African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA), the speakers will have a lot to offer with real issues being frankly debated.

Aircraft manufacturers Airbus, Boeing and Embraer predict strong growth in African air travel and will be at the event to give their insight.

“The Aviation Africa Summit has developed into the most forthright and broad event for Africa’s aviation industry. Networking is superb with a lot of opportunities for suppliers to meet with customers and authorities,” said Summit chairman Alan Peaford.

Aviation AFRICA is organised by TIMES Aerospace Events, having already organised eight previous editions in the United Arab Emirates, Rwanda, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and South Africa.