IATA Signs MoU with African Union to boost aviation growth in the continent

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the African Union Commission have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand strategic cooperation and to further the continent’s economic and social development with the benefits of safe, efficient and sustainable air transport in Africa.

The MOU – signed by Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO and AU’s Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Dr. Elham Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim – will seek to improving the safety and security of air transport in Africa by reducing airline crashes and promote joint decision making in the management of air transport.

“Africa is set to be one of the fastest-growing aviation regions with 5% annual growth forecast over the next 20 years. Achieving this potential will not happen by chance; strong partnerships are key. This MoU will help ensure that global standards and best practices form the backbone of Africa’s growth as well as position the continent’s 54 nations to promote economic and social development by unleashing the full power of aviation,” said Tyler.

The aviation industry already supports 6.8 million jobs and generates $72.5 billion of economic activity on the continent.

“IATA is a strategic partner in the growth of African aviation. This MoU will commit our two organizations to even closer cooperation on the priorities for African aviation. In particular, we count on IATA to partner with us by providing the requisite technical support in the establishment of the Single African Air Transport Market as part of our long-term vision in the context of the AU Agenda 2063. We are, indeed, dedicated to global best practice as a fundamental for sustained growth in aviation in Africa,” said Dr. Ibrahim.

The latest statistics from the International Air Transport Association classify Africa, as the second fastest region in terms of passenger traffic with a growth rate of 9.5%, just behind the middle East that recorded a growth of 11%