The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says the 2026 IATA Focus Africa Conference will prioritise aviation safety, connectivity and operational efficiency across Africa

IATA Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Alawadhi, made the disclosure in a statement on Friday while announcing the conference theme.

According to him, the conference will have as its theme: ‘Elevating Aviation Safety, Connectivity and Operational Efficiency.’

The conference will take place from April 29 to April 30 in Addis Ababa and hosted by Ethiopian Airlines.

“Aviation has the potential to do much more to enable Africa’s economic and social development. Improving safety, harmonising regulations and reducing costs, while increasing operational efficiency, are top priorities for this edition of the conference.

The demand to support three to four per cent annual growth is there. Focus Africa also seeks to align aviation stakeholders on pragmatic steps needed to turn potential into a sustainable reality,” Mr Alawadhi said.

He noted that Ethiopian Airlines hosted the inaugural Focus Africa Conference in 2023.

The Focus Africa initiative has since driven key developments across African aviation.

These include support for the roll-out of API-PNR programmes in 12 African countries and several regional aviation safety initiatives.

Mr Alawadhi said new settlement operations were also introduced in Sierra Leone and South Sudan under BSP.

He added that settlement operations were also launched in Ghana and Ivory Coast under CASS.

 High-profile aviation speakers are expected to participate in the conference.

 (NAN)