The Agency for Air Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA) held its 73rd meeting of the Committee of Ministers on July 26, 2024, in Ouagadougou. This crucial event marked significant advances for aviation in Africa.
The opening ceremony, chaired by Burkina Faso’s Prime Minister, Apollinaire Joachimson KYELEM de Tambèla, emphasized the strategic importance of air transport for the continent. The Prime Minister stressed the need to preserve ASECNA’s resource-pooling model, recalling the agency’s three founding pillars: solidarity, quality of human resources, and the pursuit of excellence.
Honoré SAYI, President of ASECNA’s Committee of Ministers, highlighted the agency’s technical capabilities to provide satellite navigation services across the continent, calling on member states to support this integration initiative.
Among the major decisions, the Committee approved the integration of Saint Louis Airport in Senegal into the list of community airports from January 1, 2025. This decision strengthens ASECNA’s airport network and improves regional connectivity.
The Gambia’s request to join ASECNA’s community activities was also examined. The Committee mandated the Director General to provide technical support to Gambia in its membership process, marking a potential expansion of the agency’s influence.
Regarding governance, the Committee scheduled a special session on September 27, 2024, in Dakar to appoint a new Director General. This decision comes as the mandate of the current Director General, Mohamed MOUSSA, ends on December 31, 2024. The Committee warmly congratulated Mr. MOUSSA for his achievements at the helm of ASECNA.
Finally, the next Committee sessions will be held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea in 2026 and Kigali, Rwanda in 2027, demonstrating ASECNA’s pan-African commitment.
This 73rd meeting, chaired by Anûuyirtole Roland SOMDA, Minister of Transport of Burkina Faso, demonstrates ASECNA’s continued determination to improve the safety and efficiency of air navigation in Africa, while strengthening regional cooperation in the aviation sector.
