(Posted 02nd July 2026)
The 2026 Aviation AFRICA Summit & Exhibition takes place on 9–10 September at the Sarit Expo Centre, Nairobi, Kenya, with a programme developed through extensive consultation with airline leaders, regulators, OEMs, service providers, supply-chain partners and industry associations.
Summit Chairman Alan Peaford, MBE said: “It is an indication of the growing importance of Aviation Africa to the African aerospace scene. We are grateful to all those who met and contributed by explaining their needs and offering to help us ensure key people are there to speak.
While many of the topic headings may be familiar, it is what is underneath them and the direct impacts on the industry that are being raised to the surface. With a team of challenging moderators, speakers will be asked about the key issues – speakers are coming from across the continent – and beyond.”
Key themes include high operating costs, ageing infrastructure, regulatory fragmentation, skills shortages, human factors, governance, financial instability, connectivity, affordability, training inequalities, aircraft development, the uncrewed sector, pilot mental health and engineer wellbeing.
The Summit features three dedicated stages:
? SIMBA STAGE – Keynotes from Hon. Teresia Mbaika, Principal Secretary, State Department for Devolution, Republic of Kenya; Adefunke Adeyemi, Secretary General, African Civil Aviation Commission AFCAC; and Abderahmane Berthe, Secretary General, African Airlines Association (AFRAA). Regulators will answer audience questions, Embraer will present its latest African market forecast, and airline leaders, including Kenya Airways CEO George I. Kamal, will discuss the industry’s future. Air cargo, regulation, collaboration, infrastructure and engineering will also be explored.
? MAENDELEO STAGE – Hosted with African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA), focusing on business and general aviation, medevac, humanitarian operations and improving market access across Africa. Clyde & Co will lead a symposium covering aviation finance, leasing, Open Skies, crisis response, insurance and legal trends. Sessions will also address training, recruitment, safety and human factors.
? TAI STAGE will host The African Drone Forum (ADF), returning for its second year. Eno Umoh, Chair of the Forum, will lead discussions on UTM, BVLOS, drone regulation, pilot training and the future of Africa’s uncrewed aviation sector. As one of Africa’s fastest-growing drone markets, Kenya provides the ideal setting.
Supported by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), regulators, government ministers, aviation associations and industry leaders, Aviation Africa 2026 offers two days of high-level debate, networking and collaboration.
? Register now at www.aviationafrica.aero
