As positive expectations continue in the industry on the back of increasingly robust traffic and global economy, the need to provide increased aviation manpower becomes more urgent to support this welcome trend especially in Africa. At State and regional levels on the continent, efforts should be streamlined to beef up training institutions to meet rapidly changing industry needs.
The recent review of the aviation training capacity and capabilities in Africa during the Second Pan-African Training Coordination Conference Organized by ICAO AFI Comprehensive Implementation Plan (ACIP) in cooperation with AFCAC in Cairo, Egypt, therefore, raises strong hopes of effectively combating the inadequacies in aviation personnel in Africa. We commend the efforts of industry partners who, at this conference, recommended the establishment of relevant bodies to drive the harmonization and rationalization of aviation training in Africa with given timelines. There is already a shortage of core aviation professionals in Africa which could degenerate with knock-on effects if effective intervention measures are not urgently taken especially in the face of emerging industry changes.

Though aviation personnel shortage is a global threat, Africa’s case is worsened by lack of training infrastructure and funding. There is need, therefore, for all partners to join in upgrading and expanding Africa’s aviation training structures especially in line with the on-going ACIP-AFCAC efforts in this regard to benefit more States.

Achieving improved aviation training infrastructure and manpower base in Africa requires visionary leadership which would effectively drive new training objectives in the continent. The 16th Aviation & Allied Business Leadership Conference, with the theme Air Transport In Africa: The Challenge Of Leadership, which holds in Gaborone, Botswana, August 29-31, would review aviation leadership in Africa as a way to jump-start renewed growth and development in Africa’s aviation system. I invite you to be part of this strongly anticipated leadership change in Africa.

The current Journal highlights issues on aviation financing, besides other materials which I trust you will find rewarding.

Thank you.

  
CAPT.  ED.  BOYO