With the countdown launched at the scheduled Ethiopian Air Forum, set up at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa on April 24-25, 2025, industry insiders are enduring what could become a decisive event on the African aviation calendar.
The Ethiopian Aviation Forum is positioned as a shocking platform for strategic dialogue, investment insights and regional cooperation, and promises a curated environment for not only another industry event but practical conversations that could shape the trajectory of the African air transport ecosystem.
Why this forum is important
The African aviation sector stands at an inflection point. As air traffic on the continent is expected to double over the next 20 years, demand for smarter networks, regional collaboration and infrastructure investments is increasing exponentially. However, the sector also continues to tackle sustainable hurdles from restrictive bilateral agreements and fragmented networks to fragmented networks ranging from high operating costs and lack of skills.
That is what makes this forum the first of its kind in Ethiopia. Featuring a tight, advanced-level guest list of decision-makers from African airlines and airport landscapes, including CEOs, CCOs, regulators, investors and manufacturers, the event focuses on lasers not only on panels and pleasures, but on business outcomes.
Airline Turnaround Case Study: Kenya Airlines
One of the most talked about turnarounds on the continent is completely analyzed. Kenya Airways: “Explore and touch on the astonishing swing from years of loss to profitability.
Project Role Kifal Operations Restructuring Market Expansion Strategy Cargo Growth and Cost Containment
We promise to provide real-world lessons to African airlines navigating similar turbulences.
Embler's vision for regional connectivity
Brazilian aircraft manufacturers are ingesting electronic jets across Africa, but share the following insights:
Fleet Optimization Sustainable Regional Flight Inventory and Maintenance Solution Funding and Support Programme tailored to African Airlines
Reduce airport revenue leaks through blockchain and smart contracts
In an age of digital transformation, this session will unravel the way blockchain and smart contracting technologies revolutionize revenue guarantees between African airports. Revenue leaks from unreported passenger rates to immature concessions agreements remain a quiet threat to airport profitability. Blockchain transparency, immutability and real-time traceability provide compelling solutions. Through smart contracts, airport operators can automate revenue collection, enforce conditions, and reduce human error and fraud. Participants will gain insight into the success of global implementations and how these innovations can be adapted to the African airport environment to promote financial efficiency and integrity.
Training highly qualified workers in Africa
The African aviation sector continues to face ongoing challenges. It is a lack of highly skilled personnel across technical, operational and leadership roles. This session will focus on building a sustainable pipeline of qualified aviation professionals through training, certification, and strategic investments in industry-academic partnerships. With air traffic expected to increase significantly in Africa over the next 20 years, the need to train pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers and ground staff locally has become important. Representatives explore ways governments, airlines and training institutions can meet global standards and ultimately reduce reliance on foreign expertise and promote job creation for African Airlines, whilst retaining talent across the continent.
Ethiopia as a host: a strategic symbol
It is no coincidence that Ethiopia is hosting this event. Ethiopian airlines are consistently ranked as the top African carrier, and in a country preparing to build a $7.8 billion mega airport in Bisshoftu with the support of African development banks, Addis Ababa is increasingly positioned as the continental air capital.
The event also complements the growing investment in emerging technologies such as Ethiopia's VIP travel, the sustainability partnership, and EVTOL, which presents a vision for future prospects that many African countries want to emulate.
