IATA has announced the 2026 Focus Africa Conference, set for 29-30 April in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, hosted by Ethiopian Airlines. The event adopts the theme ‘Elevating Aviation Safety, Connectivity and Operational Efficiency in Africa,’ drawing over 300 aviation leaders, policymakers, and innovators.
This premier gathering addresses pressing challenges in Africa’s aviation sector, including infrastructure gaps, regulatory hurdles, and limited intra-regional links. Key discussions will center on enhancing safety standards through data-driven programs, advancing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) for better connectivity, and optimizing operations via digital tools and cost efficiencies.
The conference aligns with the broader Focus Africa initiative, targeting improvements in safety, infrastructure, finance, sustainability, and skills development. It supports continent-wide goals like net-zero emissions by 2050 and fostering a diverse workforce.
Ethiopian Airlines, the host, underscores its pivotal role with expansions at Bole International Airport and the forthcoming Bishoftu International Airport, a $12.5 billion project boosting capacity to 60 million passengers initially, scaling to 110 million. These efforts, amid 18.6% year-on-year growth in international capacity, position African hubs like Addis Ababa as resilient alternatives amid global disruptions.
Stakeholders anticipate actionable strategies to unlock aviation’s economic potential, promoting intra-African routes, business travel, and multi-destination itineraries.