One year after appointing a chairperson and vice chair, the African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) has made significant progress in its mission to support and promote the business aviation community across the continent.

Highlights include more than doubling its membership, with numbers rising to 55 members and several former members returning. A new UAS (unmanned aircraft systems or uncrewed aircraft systems) committee has been formed in recognition of the growing activity and potential of the unmanned aerial vehicle sector across Africa. The association has also established an operators committee to attract more operators and strengthened its safety and training committee in support of its work to raise standards across the continent.

Closer ties with both regional and international bodies have also been established. A milestone meeting with the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) focused on creating and sharing aviation data, enabling the organisation to advocate on AfBAA’s behalf. Initiatives were agreed that will see AFCAC represent business aviation interests at national civil aviation authorities and external agencies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

“This was a breakthrough discussion, and we are delighted that the AFCAC can better support us in conversations with government and regulatory bodies. This cooperation will benefit all African aviation stakeholders, not just the individual organisations,” says AfBAA chairperson Dawit Lemma.

AfBAA has also signed memoranda of understanding with the Commercial Aviation Association of South Africa (CAASA) and the Airlines Association of South Africa (AASA). The discussions are intended to support cooperation on regional and national issues.

Lemma explains: “Communication between the associations is essential for us all to build knowledge, intelligence and understanding. As well as the agreements with African bodies, we are working with the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) to encourage members to adopt the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) and the International Standard for Business Aviation Handlers (IS-BAH).”

With a focus on raising profile, the executive also worked with organisers of Aviation Africa to host a dedicated AfBAA pavilion, where members exhibited on a shared stand to increase exposure and maximise budget. A keynote speech delivered by Lemma also prompted discussion and debate, highlighting the association’s evolving approach.

Lemma adds: “Our board strategy is based on five key pillars and aims to generate momentum, raise visibility and support credibility by acting as a single voice with regulators, industry and international organisations. We are streamlining governance and operations; expanding the aircraft segments that can join; and increasing the association's visibility outside of Africa. We have also improved our internal and external communications, with regular press coverage and a flow of feedback from our members that helps us to understand and support their needs.”

Craig Middleton, AfBAA vice chairperson, comments: “AfBAA acts as a bridge, adapting global frameworks to local conditions for effective implementation, which will boost the sector's safety, efficiency and growth across the continent.”

He adds: “We are proud to have fulfilled the promises we made when we took up responsibilities in May 2025. We have made progress on all our priorities and, thanks to feedback from our growing membership, have highlighted areas of concern and improvement for the next 12 months. It has been a privilege and a joy to have been an active part of the growth of the association, both in size and stature, over this year, and we have plans to continue this dynamic development in the coming months.”