Ethiopian Aviation Forum 2025: Gearing Up for Africa’s Aviation Dialogue
EAF 2025 is poised to playing a key role in advancing Africa's aviation and aerospace sectors.
The inaugural Ethiopian Aviation Forum 2025 (EAF) is set to take centre stage at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel from April 24–25, 2025.
With anticipation building, EAF 2025 welcomes industry leaders for pivotal discussions on Ethiopia’s aviation industry and its role in regional progress. The forum will commence with a Welcome Speech from Jonathan Norman, Chairman, EAF.
According to event organisers, ‘EAF will dictate the aerospace social and corporate agenda of Africa.’ The forum will serve as a platform for leaders to reflect on past experiences, address current industry challenges, and shape future development plans for Africa’s aviation sector.
EAF 2025 Spotlights Industry Trends & Strategic Dialogue
The forum features renowned speakers, expert-led panels, and a one-night-only gala event designed to maximise networking opportunities for focused discussions aimed at tangible industry advancements and strategic collaborations.
Africa’s Aviation Market Outlook
EAF 2025 will feature insights from Kuljit Ghata-Aura, President of Boeing Global for the Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, and Central Asia, exploring Africa’s air travel trajectory.
According to the 2024 Boeing Commercial Outlook (CMO), passenger air traffic in Africa is expected to grow by 6.4% annually, with 82% of aircraft deliveries supporting fleet expansion—the highest percentage of any global region. The report predicts Africa’s commercial fleet will more than double by 2043, solidifying its aviation growth.
Successful Airline Turnaround: Kenya Airways Key Challenges and Opportunities
Allan Kilavuka, Group CEO of Kenya Airways, will discuss the airline’s turnaround strategy, which recently led to its first profit in over a decade, marking a KShs 28 billion recovery from previous losses.
His session will highlight, among other factors, Project Kifaru, the airline’s strategic framework focusing on operational efficiency, financial discipline, and customer-centric improvements—key elements that have contributed to its financial resurgence.
Airline Partnerships: Concept & Development
According to EAF organisers, partnerships remain central to regional connectivity and airline growth strategies. A session led by Lena Havia, VP Alliances & Joint Ventures at Etihad Airways, will explore key frameworks for building and expanding airline collaborations.
Industry-wide agreements, such as recent developments between Ethiopian Airlines and Etihad, underscore the growing role of strategic partnerships in enhancing route networks and market access—a theme that will be explored during EAF 2025.
Embraer in Africa: Insights, Programs & Products
EAF outlines that Embraer’s industry presence continues to expand, with Mohamed Khalid, Regional Director Airline Marketing at Embraer, offering insights into regional programs and sustainable fleet modernisation efforts. Embraer recently solidified its partnership with Airlink, South Africa, marking a first-of-its-kind inventory planning agreement in Africa. This focus on inventory and maintenance solutions is key to sustainable operations, a common challenge for airlines in Africa.
Morocco as a European Connecting Hub
Regional reports indicate that 36% of African air traffic is bound for Europe, making it the continent’s largest external market. Morocco’s aviation infrastructure plays a vital role in regional connectivity, with key hubs like Casablanca facilitating Africa-Europe transit.
This topic will be led by Hamid Mokadem, Director of Airport Group Operations at Morocco’s Airport Authority, highlighting Morocco’s position in global aviation.
Additionally, Royal Air Maroc’s recent global partnership with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) further underscores Morocco’s robust airport infrastructure, reinforcing its role as a strategic transit hub while strengthening both international and regional access, including for leisure and tourism purposes.
Industry Data & Analytics
The forum will also welcome Achim Tyler, VP Commercial Global Airline Commercial Strategy from OAG, a global leader in flight intelligence and digital aviation analytics, offering insights into industry forecasts, market data, and operational efficiencies.
OAG provides critical data for airlines, airports, and travel technology firms, supporting network planning, passenger traffic assessments, and decision-making across the aviation sector. Achim will provide a unique business and performance view of the African market based on the most reliable data in the market.
Aviation Leaders Set to Shape Africa’s Aerospace Future
The inaugural EAF 2025 has attracted senior-level participation, promising deep industry insights and a collaborative vision for Africa’s aviation future.
As Africa’s aviation sector experiences record growth, the forum will address critical areas like Training High Qualified Labor in Africa, a necessity for sustaining operations amidst expansion. Ethiopia’s $7.8B Bishoftu Mega Airport project, its operation of Africa’s largest fleet, and its expansive network in the continent’s top three busiest hubs (per OAG data) highlight this growth.
Additionally, Airline Marketing Commercialisation, African Regional Connectivity, and Airline Business: Beyond Traditional Revenue will be key discussions, alongside an introductory keynote by Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew.
EAF 2025 is primed to be a defining moment for industry stakeholders, reinforcing Ethiopia’s leadership in regional and global air transport strategies by tackling these vital industry needs.