TICAD IX 2025: African Civil Aviation Development and Strengthening Japan-Africa Cooperation examined
Published: Tuesday, 26 August 2025 17:05
During the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), held in Yokohama, Japan, from August 20 to 22, 2025, strategic vision and initiatives for Africa's development and integration were highlighted. Mrs. Paule ASSOUMOU KOKI, Director General of the Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA), participated in a panel discussion on civil aviation in Africa, where she presented proposals for improving air connectivity and aviation development in Africa, while also showcasing major projects that reinforce Cameroon's leadership in civil aviation within the Central African sub-region.
The TICAD/9 conference aims to strengthen cooperation between Japan and the African continent. In the aviation sector, exchanges among ICAO leaders, high-ranking officials, and experts were enriched by a range of topics. These discussions promoted the sharing of expertise and inspired the adoption of Japanese standards of excellence in safety and efficiency. For Africa, the event opened new development perspectives, addressed persistent challenges, and paved the way for a more connected future.
Mrs. Koki's interventions during the panel on improving air connectivity was a pivotal moment, as she spoke not only for Cameroon but for the entire Central Africa. She emphasised that air transport is a strategic necessity in this sub-region due to the rugged terrain and dense forests that make land transport difficult. Consequently, she expressed her desire to see the African sky transformed into a true "highway" through the full implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
Beyond major existing constraints such as a shortage of qualified personnel, aging airport infrastructure and equipment, and limited financial capacity of airlines, she proposed to work with states, regional organizations, and industry partners, in her capacity as Vice-President of the AFCAC Central Region, to strengthen training opportunities and harmonize qualification recognition.
A tangible example of this is the aircraft maintenance training program developed by the CCAA Training School in partnership with the National Advanced School of engineering and the Vallair Group of Luxembourg, supported by ASSA-AC. This program will be offered starting next year at the Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority Training School.
The call for applications has already been published in the six CEMAC countries in Central Africa. Ultimately, this will allow professionals from Cameroon, Gabon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Congo, and the Central African Republic to receive the same certification and use it across countries without having to revalidate their qualifications.
Mrs. Koki also suggested supporting initiatives that facilitate access to essential airport equipment and infrastructure, citing the Equip4Safety project initiated by the CCAA, which will be presented at the next ICAO General Assembly in Montreal this September. This platform promotes a circular economy and equitable access to aviation ground equipment. These and other listed innovations aim to break the cycle of constraints and unlock the true potential of air connectivity in Africa.
This impassioned plea is sufficient proof that Africa is determined to act for its own development. It is a call for intra-African solidarity and international cooperation for the development of aviation on our continent.
Trans: MKG/ARO-PRU
