The International Air Transport Association (IATA)
and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have signed a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) to establish a framework for collaboration to boost the
aviation sector in Africa.
The
MoU was signed on the sidelines of the International Civil Aviation
Organization World Aviation Forum - Financing the Development of Aviation
Infrastructure - in Abuja, Nigeria by IATA's Director General and Chief Executive
Officer, Alexandre de Juniac, and African Development Bank President Akinwumi
Adesina.
Under
the MoU, IATA and the AfDB will work in partnership to further Africa's
economic and social development by helping build a safe, secure and efficient
aviation industry. The two organizations commit to create and implement
programs and projects, including technical cooperation for capacity building.
Priority areas will include improving connectivity, safety and aviation
infrastructure.
"Aviation
in Africa currently supports US$72.5 billion in economic activity and 6.8
million jobs. Over the next 20-years, aviation is forecast to grow at nearly 6%
per year. This creates significant opportunities. But achieving this potential
will not happen by chance; strong partnerships are key. The MoU with ADB will
help facilitate the growth and development of Africa's aviation industry. In so
doing, it will expand prosperity and change peoples' lives for the better in
the continent's 54 nations," said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA's Director
General and CEO.
"The
aviation sector is especially important as it opens up doors to
investors," said Adesina. "Very few invest where it's difficult to
travel to. That's why ease of access via air travel is strongly correlated to
economic growth. We must make regional aviation markets competitive and drive
down costs, raise efficiencies and improve connectivity and convenience."
"From
Abuja, a new voice has arisen through this partnership: Africa's aviation time
has come! Together, let's open up the skies of Africa, and together let's
integrate Africa. By so doing, we will build stronger and more resilient
economies," he said.
(Evangle Luo of TTFLY shared with you)
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