In order to bring together stakeholders dedicated to promoting safety, efficiency, security and enhanced connectivity across the continent of Africa, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) launched its Focus Africa initiative in 2023.
According to IATA officials, the Focus Africa is designed to be a collaborative initiative, where resources can be combined to address urgent challenges that are slowing the advancement of the aviation industry in Africa.
When announcing the Focus Africa initiative, IATA director general Willie Walsh noted Africa accounts for 18 percent of the global population, but only 2.1 percent of air transport activities. That figure includes cargo and passenger flights combined.
However, he said Focus Africa can help close that gap and allow Africa to benefit from the connectivity, jobs and economic growth that the aviation industry provides.
"The limiting factors on Africa’s aviation sector are fixable. The potential for growth is clear. And the economic boost that a more successful African aviation sector will deliver has been witnessed in many economies already. With Focus Africa, stakeholders are uniting to deliver on six critical focus areas that will make a positive difference. We’ll measure success and will need to hold each other accountable for the results,” Walsh said.
The Focus Africa initiative is focused on six key areas of improvement. IATA officials say these include:
- Safety: Improve operational safety through a data driven, collaborative program to reduce safety incidents and accidents, in the air and on the ground.
- Infrastructure: Facilitate the growth of efficient, secure, and cost-effective aviation infrastructure to improve customer experience and operational efficiency.
- Connectivity: Promote the liberalization of intra-African market access through the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
- Finance and Distribution: Accelerate the implementation of secure, effective and cost-efficient financial services and adoption of modern retailing standards.
- Sustainability: Assist Africa’s air transport industry to achieve the “Net Zero by 2050” emissions targets agreed to by industry and the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) member states.
- Future Skills: Promote aviation as a career path to ensure a steady supply of diverse talent ready to meet future industry needs.
“Attached to each focus area is a series of initiative, each designed to achieve the overall goal,” IATA officials explained. “Each focus stream will be led by an industry expert, supported by a team of subject matter experts.”
Since the launch of Focus Africa, a number of stakeholders have pledged support to the initiative.
Both the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) and the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) partnered with IATA shortly after the initiative was announced.
“The ability to access, serve and develop intra-African markets is crucial as the continent’s populace is set to increase by over a billion people by 2050. For this to be sustainable, economic opportunities must be created. As other regions have demonstrated, air transport connectivity unlocks broad prosperity. As the African Union’s civil aviation agency, we will support Focus Africa through our work developing a set of harmonized rules and regulations designed to make this connectivity a reality and drive our strategic objectives,” AFCAC secretary-general Adefunke Adeyemi said.
“Time is not on our side as AASA’s members and the communities they serve face rising costs, unprecedented unemployment, obsolete constraints on trade and market access, inadequate infrastructure and a looming skills shortage. These demand urgent action, so we do not get stranded on the runway. It is why we have no hesitation standing with IATA and other Focus Africa partners,” AASA CEO Aaron Munetsi added.
Members of the ground handling sector have also pledged their support, including Menzies and Aviation and Swissport.
According to officials at Menzies, the ground handling firm intends to contribute to addressing challenges faced by African airlines and airports.
“The potential for air travel in Africa is huge,” said Abdoulaye Cisse, head of Africa, Menzies Aviation. “While there are hurdles to overcome, joining the IATA Focus Africa initiative is a testament to our long-term commitment to the continent, and our desire to collaborate with industry leaders to improve aviation safety, facilitate growth, and contribute to Africa’s development journey.
“As the first ground services company partnering on this initiative, we are determined to use our position and expertise to raise the bar for aviation services across Africa providing new technologies, equipment, training and certifications. Menzies is a trusted partner, and we are optimistic about the outlook for the market in Africa in both the near and long term.”
As a partner of Focus Africa, Swissport officials say they will take part in improving connectivity, safety and sustainability in African aviation.
"Swissport recognizes the immense potential of the aviation industry in Africa and is committed to creating a positive impact,” said Dirk Goovaerts, CEO Continental Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Global Cargo Chair of Swissport International. "Together with IATA, we aim to support passengers and cargo customers and ultimately promote the continent's economic development."
For those who would like to support the objectives outlined by Focus Africa, IATA officials encourage those parties to provide resources such as financial investment, time, research and participating in task forces.
