The International Air Transport Association launched a series of IATA safety workshops to improve aviation safety across Africa. These monthly training sessions operate under the Collaborative Aviation Safety Improvement Program. Consequently, the initiative provides safety professionals with practical tools and guidance to strengthen regional operations.
The program commenced with an in-person Safety Management Systems session in Nairobi, Kenya. This initial event received support from Boeing, Kenya Airways, and the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations. Furthermore, organizers will announce details for all upcoming sessions on the IATA Connect platform.
Scheduled Training Sessions
The training schedule features monthly webinars and workshops targeting specific operational risks. Specifically, August will focus on a ground operations risk management webinar. Meanwhile, the organization scheduled a space debris awareness webinar for September.
In October, participants will attend an in-person runway safety workshop. Following this, November will feature a webinar on global navigation satellite system radio frequency interference awareness. These IATA safety workshops aim to deliver measurable safety improvements across the continent.
Regional Safety Statistics
Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, stated that the African accident rate reached 7.86 accidents per million sectors in 2025. Although this represents an improvement from the five-year average of 9.37, it remains above the global average. Therefore, the organization continues to prioritize targeted safety training.
“Through the CASIP safety workshops, we are bringing together the expertise of industry partners to foster knowledge exchange and give safety professionals with practical tools and best practices that can help strengthen safety performance across the continent.”
Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East
Collaborative Partners of IATA safety workshops
Multiple international organizations support the Collaborative Aviation Safety Improvement Program to address operational deficiencies. Specifically, partners include the African Civil Aviation Commission and the African Airlines Association. In addition, the Airlines Association of Southern Africa and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation participate in the program.
Global manufacturers and regulators also contribute to the initiative. Notably, Airbus, Boeing, Brussels Airlines, and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency are active partners. Furthermore, the US Federal Aviation Administration and the International Civil Aviation Organization support these safety efforts.
Program Background and Objectives
Launched in 2023, the program operates under the safety pillar of the Focus Africa initiative, which utilizes IATA safety workshops. The collaborative framework brings together governments, regulators, and airlines to reduce serious incidents. As a result, the initiative supports a safer operating environment to strengthen regional connectivity and resilience.
Partners work to identify operational safety deficiencies and implement corrective action plans. Moreover, they promote a data-driven approach to safety performance. This focus ensures that decision-makers have access to efficient accident and incident reporting data.
