ICAO Signs New Agreements with African States to Boost Sustainable Aviation Development

By Roland Ohaeri

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has revealed that it made a significant step forward in enhancing aviation’s role as a catalyst for sustainable development in Africa. According to ICAO, during the AFI Week held in Gabon, ICAO signed four pivotal capacity building and implementation support agreements with Member States, each aimed at strengthening their aviation sectors and alignment with international standards.

Gabon’s Agence Nationale de l’Aviation Civile entered into a Management Service Agreement (MSA) with ICAO, ICAO stated, noting that the comprehensive agreement will provide Gabon with access to ICAO’s expertise, project management and procurement services, and customized training packages.

“A key focus of this collaboration is the potential development of a Civil Aviation Master Plan, which will chart the strategic growth of Gabon’s aviation sector, ensuring efficient, safe, and sustainable development of infrastructure and services,” ICAO further explained.

ICAO is also working with Chad to build up personnel that for overseeing safety and security. “Chad’s Autorité de l’Aviation Civile partnered with ICAO for a preliminary assessment of training need,” ICAO said, explaining that this crucial project will evaluate the technical and general skills of ADAC’s staff responsible for overseeing civil aviation safety and security.

“By optimizing human resources, Chad aims to significantly enhance the operational efficiency of its civil aviation authority,” ICAO stated.

Mr. Salvatore Sciacchitano, ICAO President addressing participants at 9th AFI-Week in Libreville, Gabon

Similarly, IAO said that it agreed with Uganda’s Civil Aviation Authority to develop a comprehensive 15-year Air Navigation Plan. This strategic framework will not only guide the implementation of air navigation services and infrastructure but also ensure Uganda’s alignment with international aviation standards, in order to facilitate a safer, more efficient, and higher capacity air navigation system for the East African nation.

Furthermore, South Africa’s Civil Aviation Authority signed a Declaration of Intent to host the next Global Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Summit. Set for February 2025 in Johannesburg, this summit highlights South Africa’s commitment to nurturing the future leaders of the aviation industry, ICAO disclosed.

According to ICAO, these agreements represent ICAO’s commitment to supporting African Member States in developing sustainable aviation sectors. By focusing on areas such as strategic planning, human resource development, and infrastructure enhancement, these initiatives are set to improve aviation safety, efficiency, and capacity across the continent.

The collaborative efforts between ICAO and these African States are expected to yield significant benefits, not only for the aviation sector but also for the broader economy. As aviation acts as a multiplier for economic growth, these agreements are poised to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, improve connectivity, and foster economic opportunities in the region.

As these projects unfold, they will serve as examples of how targeted ICAO support and collaboration in the aviation sector can drive sustainable development and economic growth in Africa, ICAO also stated.

The AFI Week continues to serve as one of the significant avenues for ICAO to interface with aviation regulators and industry organizations in Africa including the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) towards accelerating aviation development in Africa.