IATA Focus Africa Conference Champions Aviation Safety, Connectivity and Operational Efficiency Across Africa
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IATA Focus Africa boosts aviation safety, connectivity and operational efficiency at its 2026 Addis Ababa conference

The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Focus Africa initiative is stepping back into the spotlight with its flagship Focus Africa conference that promises to advance aviation safety, boost air connectivity and enhance operational efficiency across the African continent. The 2026 edition of this pivotal gathering will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 29–30 April 2026, hosted by Ethiopian Airlines, and is poised to bring together airline leaders, policymakers and industry strategists to define the next chapter of African aviation.

IATA has positioned Focus Africa as a strategic platform to translate the vast potential of Africa’s aviation market into real, measurable progress. The organisation emphasises that aviation remains a cornerstone for economic and social development, with safety improvements, streamlined operations and strengthened air connectivity sitting high on the agenda.

Focus Africa Brings Leaders Together to Shape Aviation’s Future

Over the two-day event, delegates from governments, airlines and industry bodies will convene to dive deep into the core pillars that define successful aviation markets: safety, connectivity and operational excellence. Under the theme of elevating these three core areas, Focus Africa has charted a roadmap that stakeholders hope will unlock substantial growth and opportunity across Africa’s skies.

Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, explained that learning from recent progress and facing ongoing challenges calls for a joint industry effort. He highlighted that the demand for continued growth—estimated at some 3–4% annually—is present, but achieving it will require stronger safety protocols, harmonised regulatory frameworks and smart steps to improve operational effectiveness.

The upcoming Focus Africa conference is designed to be more than a meeting—it’s a strategic push to align aviation stakeholders behind common goals and to turn potential into sustainable reality.

Progress So Far: Focus Africa Moves Beyond Dialogue

While the 2026 event will focus on future priorities, speakers and attendees will also assess key achievements since the initiative began. Previous editions, including the inaugural 2023 conference, helped spur regional advancements in safety programmes, payment systems and industry infrastructure. These include:

  • Launching API-PNR systems in 12 African nations, enhancing security and data flow.
  • Developing new settlement operations frameworks such as the Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) in markets like Sierra Leone and South Sudan, and the Cargo Account Settlement System (CASS) in Ghana and Ivory Coast.
  • Rolling out IATA Easy Pay in several countries, including Cameroon, Chad and Gabon, to address past payment and cash flow issues for travel agents and airlines.

These developments have strengthened the foundation for improved safety and connectivity, laying groundwork that Focus Africa plans to build on during its upcoming sessions and discussions.

Who’s Speaking: A Line‑up of Aviation Influencers

Focus Africa’s programme is packed with influential voices shaping the aviation ecosystem across the continent. Speeches and panels will feature a distinguished mix of aviation executives, government officials and industry visionaries. Among those set to share insights are:

  • Alemu Sime Feyisa, Ethiopia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics.
  • Mesfin Tasew, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines.
  • De Villiers Engelbrecht, Chief Executive Officer of Airlink.
  • George Kamal, Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Airways.
  • Adefunke Adeyemi, Secretary General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC).
  • Abderahmane Berthe, Secretary General of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA).
  • Aaron Munetsi, Chief Executive Officer of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA).
  • Mohammed Mazi, Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Ground Services (SGS).

Their participation underscores the conference’s role as a critical forum for sharing strategic vision and collective action to elevate aviation across myriad dimensions.

Deep Discussions on Safety, Connectivity and Operational Efficiency

The heart of the Focus Africa conference rests on its in‑depth sessions, where delegates will tackle pressing aviation topics.

Safety enhancement discussions aim to explore ways that African aviation can strengthen its safety standards and oversight mechanisms. With improved monitoring, training and regulatory frameworks, the objective is clear—secure the skies for passengers, crews and cargo alike.

Connectivity is another core theme. Despite its immense population and growing markets, Africa remains one of the least connected regions in the world. Speakers will explore strategies to grow intra‑African flight routes, harmonise regulations across borders and support initiatives such as the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), which seeks to liberalise air travel within the continent.

Operational efficiency sessions will centre on how innovation and process improvements can enhance the industry’s overall performance and cost effectiveness. This includes discussions around digital transformation, payment systems and collaborative airline operations, all aimed at driving down costs and fostering a more competitive aviation landscape in Africa.

Focus Africa: A Platform for Shared Vision and Action

By bringing together representatives from both public and private sectors, the Focus Africa conference of IATA provides a rare and valuable opportunity for cross‑sector collaboration. Events like this are designed to strengthen dialogue, build partnerships and help translate strategic concepts into concrete outcomes.

The emphasis on aviation safety, connectivity and operational efficiency speaks directly to the core priorities of Africa’s aviation stakeholders—growth that is not only expansive but safe, sustainable and beneficial to the continent’s socio‑economic development.

As industry leaders, policymakers and operators prepare to gather in Addis Ababa, expectations are high that Focus Africa will deliver actionable insights and practical solutions that can help move African aviation forward with momentum and purpose.

In Closing: Taking African Aviation to New Heights

Ultimately, IATA’s Focus Africa acts as both a reflection of past progress and a mechanism to propel future achievements. By concentrating on safety, connectivity and operational efficiency, this year’s conference aims to uplift Africa’s aviation sector—connecting more people, strengthening economies, and setting new benchmarks for performance on the global stage.

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