AVIATION AFRICA 2017 will take place on 22 & 23 February 2017 in Kigali, Rwanda. The event is a two-day conference and exhibition focused on all aspects of the aviation industry including commercial, military, business, infrastructure, regulatory and safety.

The event is supported by the Rwandan Government, including the Ministry of Infrastructure, Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority and RwandAir.

Why Rwanda? – Rwanda has a uniquely open visa policy for all African and international visitors, operating a visa-on-arrival service. It has a strategic geographical location, a large investment in tourism and hospitality and high levels of security plus an aviation-friendly environment.

According to IATA’s latest forecast Rwanda is one of the 10 African countries who’s aviation market is expected to grow by 7-8 per cent each year on average over the next 20 years, doubling in size each decade.

For 2017, the independent Flight Operations Services Operator NEXUS will be the host sponsor. NEXUS, which launched in 2010 and is based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia has opened a regional office in Rwanda and has already identified the opportunities the region can offer.

They will also participate in the exhibition along with companies who have already signed up early including Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation, Skyplan, EgyptAir Training Centre, Ethiopian Airlines MRO, Ethiopian Aviation Academy, Akagera Aviation and Aerotask. The full list of exhibitors is available on the website.

Meanwhile the conference programme is already attracting big names with Girma Wake, Chairman of Board of Directors RwandAir and former CEO Ethiopian Airlines, Dr Elijah Chingosho, Chairman, AFRAA, Temel Kotil, CEO, Turkish Airlines and Jerome Maillet, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Congo Airways.

Civil Aviation and airport chiefs from Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Ghana will be looking at the infrastructure challenges that are holding Africa’s growth back while IATA’s African leadership as well as CANSO and ACI have been invited to give umbrella views on how the continent will press ahead over the next 20 years.

The event in 2017 will host over 50 global exhibitors and up to 500 delegates from across the African continent and the global aerospace industry who are looking to grow their business in Africa. The event takes place at the Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Centre in Kigali.