Africa’s aviation industry is taking an important step toward a sustainable and resilient future. This May, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) will convene two landmark events at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda — the 13th Aviation Stakeholders Convention (May 11–13, 2025) and the 2nd African Aviation Safety & Operations Summit (May 13–14, 2025). Hosted under the high patronage of the Government of Rwanda and with the support of RwandAir, these back-to-back gatherings are poised to be catalysts for transformation in African aviation.
Held under the theme “Sustainability. Collaborate. Innovate.”, the 13th Aviation Stakeholders Convention is expected to attract over 500 high-profile delegates from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America. As Africa’s leading aviation networking platform, the Convention aims to explore growth opportunities, address industry challenges, and foster strategic partnerships across the aviation value chain.
At a time when global conversations are increasingly centered around climate action and sustainable development, Africa’s aviation sector is seeking to align itself with emerging global standards. The Convention’s focus on sustainability is timely. Airlines, airports, and aviation service providers across the continent are under pressure to lower emissions, integrate sustainable practices into their operations, and innovate to stay competitive in a fast-evolving global landscape.
African aviation plays a vital role in connecting people, promoting trade, tourism, and supporting economic growth. However, the industry faces unique challenges, from infrastructure deficits and regulatory hurdles to environmental concerns and skills gaps. The 13th Aviation Stakeholders Convention will offer a platform to address these issues head-on, encouraging collaborative approaches among governments, private sector actors, and development organizations.
Sessions will dive into critical topics such as sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), digital transformation, green airport development, climate risk management, and innovations in airline operations. Through these discussions, the Convention will help align African aviation with the continent’s broader sustainability agenda, as outlined in frameworks like the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Safety and operational excellence: A top priority
Immediately following the Convention, AFRAA, in collaboration with the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF), will stage the 2nd African Aviation Safety & Operations Summit under the theme “Strengthening Safety Culture for Resilient Aviation in Africa.”
Scheduled for May 13–14, the Summit underscores the critical role of safety in sustaining the aviation industry’s growth. By bringing together operational leaders, safety experts, regulators, and other key stakeholders, the Summit will focus on sharing best practices, analyzing safety trends, and building a robust safety culture that supports operational resilience.
Aviation safety events such as this are vital for the African context. According to recent International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) data, while safety records on the continent have improved, Africa still lags behind global averages. Strengthening safety processes, enhancing regulatory oversight, investing in training, and fostering cross-sector collaboration are essential steps toward closing this gap.
The Safety & Operations Summit will emphasize actionable strategies, with discussions covering areas such as human factors in aviation, predictive safety management systems, accident investigation processes, and the integration of new technologies to enhance operational safety.
Together, the Convention and the Summit represent much more than technical gatherings. They are part of a broader vision to redefine African aviation — making it more sustainable, more innovative, and more resilient.
One of the highlights of these events will be the focus on partnership. AFRAA recognizes that achieving sustainable growth in aviation cannot be accomplished in isolation. Cross-border collaboration, private-public partnerships, knowledge-sharing platforms, and investments in research and development are all critical.
Importantly, the Kigali events will also offer a chance to showcase Africa’s potential to be a leader in emerging areas such as green aviation technologies and regional air connectivity improvements. Africa’s youth population, technological adoption rates, and regional integration efforts (such as the Single African Air Transport Market — SAATM) create a fertile ground for growth if supported by the right policies and investments.
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Choosing Rwanda as the host nation reflects the country’s growing reputation as a leader in sustainable development and innovation in Africa. Rwanda’s investments in green growth, its world-class hospitality infrastructure, and its ambitious Vision 2050 plan provide a fitting backdrop for discussions around the future of aviation.
RwandAir’s involvement as the official host airline also highlights the airline’s commitment to safety, sustainability, and regional leadership. As one of Africa’s fastest-growing airlines, RwandAir has consistently been recognized for its operational excellence and customer service, making it a strong partner for AFRAA in delivering successful events.
As Africa works to unlock the full potential of its aviation sector, events like the AFRAA Convention and Safety Summit are essential. They provide not only a forum for dialogue but a launchpad for real action. Building a sustainable and safe aviation sector will require bold leadership, strategic investments, innovation, and above all, a commitment to collaboration across the industry.
Africa’s skies are expanding. By prioritizing sustainability, safety, and innovation, the continent is preparing to soar to new heights — creating a stronger, greener aviation industry that benefits not just airlines and passengers, but economies and communities across Africa.
For more information about the event programme and registration details, visit the official event site here
