Rwanda's African summit sets the agenda for the future

Leaders from top African airlines and from the major government departments and service suppliers will be at the event.

Also major European airlines including Turkish Airlines and Brussels Airlines will be represented by their chief executives to talk about cooperation, competition and aspiration.
The event is supported by the Rwandan Government, including the Ministry of Infrastructure, Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority and RwandAir.

Rwanda is fully committed to supporting Aviation Africa 2017 and ensuring that aviation related events grow in Rwanda. Speaking on behalf of Rwanda CAA, director general Colonel Silas Udahemuka, said "Aerospace and aviation are extremely important sectors for our country and we are investing heavily in this sector through our airline, airport infrastructure and our people. We are confident that Aviation Africa will attract large numbers of participants and visitors through our invitation programme and look forward to welcoming the global aviation industry to Rwanda”.

The event will host more than 50 global exhibitors and up to 500 delegates from across the African continent and the global aerospace industry who are looking to grow their business in Africa. The event takes place at the Radisson Blu Hotel and new international Convention Centre in Kigali.

The event is organised by Times Aerospace Events. “We are seeing some of the world’s top aerospace companies involved in sponsoring and exhibiting at the show,” said managing director Mark Brown. “The response has been superb and I am excited by the number of Sub-Saharan airlines and business aviation operators that are coming.

“Africa’s business aviation association AfBAA has taken a pavilion and it looks as if some manufacturers will be bringing aircraft to enable customer demonstration flights as well. We are confident that our partnership with Rwanda will grow and that the country is the right place for this event.”

Rwanda has a uniquely open visa policy for all African and international visitors, operating a visa-on-arrival service. It has a strategic geographical location, a large investment in tourism and hospitality and high levels of security plus an aviation-friendly environment.

According to IATA’s latest forecast Rwanda is one of the 10 African countries who’s aviation market is expected to grow by 7-8 per cent each year on average over the next 20 years, doubling in size each decade.

IATA’s vice president for Africa, Raphael Kucchi, along with AfRAA’s secretary general, Dr Elijah Chingosho are among the keynote speakers. Others invited to take to the stage include Ethiopian Airlines CEO Teowalde Gebremariam; former Ethiopian CEO and current chairman of Rwandair Girma Wake; and TAAG Angola CEO Peter Hill.

With regional and low-cost aviation high on the agenda, Jerome Maillet, deputy CEO at Congo Airways; Ahmed Ahly, CEO Nile Air; Ian Patrick, CCO Air Djiobouti and Henok Tefera (Asky Airlines) are among the invited speakers.

The need for change in MRO and support is on the agenda with key management from South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia preparing for the debate and flight safety and pilot evaluation are key topics for African aviation at this time of rapid growth and pilot shortages. Addressing the issues will be former Tunisian Air force fighter pilot Samir Maktouf, now a professor of aviation studies in Florida and part of the Embry Riddle University aviation research team. He will be looking at how African airlines and aircraft operators can reduce aviation incidents/accidents through better flight training.

How Africa can tap into its human capital will also be aired and Captain Martin Chalk, the president of the International Federation of Airline Pilot Associations (IFALPA) will lead a discussion on Understanding fatigue management and working together to enhance safety and risk management.

With breakout events for aviation safety, training and business aviation the summit is action packed. There is also a full social and networking programme allowing unprecedented access to key government, industry and military delegations and representatives.

Full details of the event, sponsorship opportunities and conference programme updates are available on the event website: www.aviationafrica.aero