Transforming African aviation: An interview with Adefunke Adeyemi, Secretary General of AFCAC

Summary of key points from the interview

Role and objectives of AFCAC:

1. AFCAC Overview: AFCAC, as the African Union’s specialised agency for civil aviation, aims to enhance safety, security, connectivity, and sustainability across the African air transport sector.
2. Implementation arm: It implements the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) to boost connectivity and reduce fragmentation in Africa.

Challenges and opportunities in African aviation:

1. Market share and connectivity: Despite being home to 12% of the global population, Africa accounts for only 2% of global air traffic due to limited market access, high costs, and regulatory inconsistencies.
2. Infrastructure: All 54 African countries have at least one runway, but overall infrastructure development, including road and rail connectivity, is lacking.
3. Cost issues: High operational costs in Africa, due to taxes, levies, and fees, hinder the growth of air travel. This, coupled with low economies of scale, makes air travel less accessible and affordable.

Initiatives to improve African aviation:

1. Pilot Implementation Scheme: AFCAC is focusing on a phased approach to implement the SAATM with 20 initial states, aiming to increase connectivity and reduce regulatory barriers.
2. Visa and regulatory reforms: Addressing visa barriers and standardising regulations to facilitate easier movement of people within Africa.
3. Safety improvements: AFCAC is working on improving safety standards through initiatives like the Abuja Safety Targets and the African and Indian Ocean Inspector Scheme (AFI-CIS).

Sustainability efforts:

1. Net zero target by 2050: Africa is committed to this global aviation target and is focusing on sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).
2. DPD for SAF Initiative: AFCAC launched the Development, Production, and Deployment of SAF initiative, aiming to involve African countries in the production and deployment of sustainable fuels. Taking their rightful place in the production and not just being a source of the feedstock.

Future workforce and passenger experience:

1. Youth and gender inclusion: AFCAC’s African Women and Youth in Aviation Initiative (AWAYA) initiative focuses on attracting young professionals and promoting gender diversity in aviation. Through mentorship to sponsorship to excite the younger generation.
2. Consumer protection and experience: Establishing a network of focal points at airports for consumer protection and launching a dispute settlement mechanism in Senegal, where AFCAC is based.

Challenges and opportunities for 2024:

1. Reducing fragmentation: The main challenge is the continent’s fragmentation, which AFCAC aims to address by increasing connectivity and infrastructure development.
2. Infrastructure and connectivity targets: Continuing to improve connectivity, aiming for a 30% increase by 2025, and closing the infrastructure gap.
3. Sustainability and capacity building: Progressing with the SAF initiative and supporting capacity building through various programs.

Adefunke Adeyemi highlighted the significant progress made and the exciting opportunities ahead, emphasising the importance of aviation as an economic enabler and social catalyst for Africa’s development.

Snapshots from the conversation