Aviation Africa Summit to address continent’s infrastructure needs

The upcoming Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition in Nairobi will focus on the infrastructure challenges facing the continent’s rapidly growing aviation sector. A key session scheduled for September 10 will address whether African airports possess the necessary capacity, funding models, and technology to meet rising passenger and cargo demands through 2035.

Industry experts from organizations including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Kenya Airports Authority, Dakar Airport, Swissport Kenya, SITA, and the Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority will discuss critical issues such as fragmented regulatory frameworks, capital constraints, and the complexities of airport charges. A central concern is balancing the need to recover massive infrastructure investments without increasing costs to a level that undermines airline and passenger growth.

Discussions will also explore the potential for technological advancement, such as using AI and automation to increase capacity, as well as the importance of efficient airspace management, ground handling, and public-private partnerships to sustain long-term industry expansion.