AVICA’S SEPTEMBER ; INSIGHTS, INNOVATIONS & CELEBRATIONS.

ACI Africa Regional Conference & Exhibition

We kicked off at the ACI Africa Regional Conference & Exhibition at the Ciela Resort in Lusaka, Zambia. The space was buzzing with conversations about the future of African aviation on our continent. ACI Africa continues to be a platform where airport authorities, tech innovators and aviation leaders come together to showcase solutions, learn from each other and shape the trajectory of African airports. This years conference also marked ACI Africa’s 34th General Assembly, highlighting continued progress in airport accreditation and leadership within the industry. Walking through the exhibition and panels, it was clear Africa’s airports are evolving at pace. Conversations with the Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL), Zambia Civil Aviation Authority (ZCAA) and NAC2000 Corporation Limited reminded us of the dedication needed to keep our air and ground operations safe, even as passenger and cargo numbers grow and the landscape shifts with new emerging technologies.

We also had the opportunity to engage with the Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA) whose dynamic approach is reshaping the nation’s tourism landscape. With an ambitious target of welcoming 3 million international tourists in 2025, they are driving growth and working hard at enhancing Zambia’s visibility and appeal through strategic partnerships with global platforms like Expedia and BBC. Recognizing the integral role of aviation in facilitating this influx, ZTA collaborates closely with stakeholders such as ZACL and ZCAA to improve air connectivity and infrastructure. This synergy between tourism and aviation not only boosts Zambia’s economic prospects but also positions it as a premier destination for travelers seeking authentic African experiences.

Over 400 delegates drawn from across Africa and the global aviation ecosystem convened at the conference with delegates SITA, Lufthansa Consulting, ADB SAFEGATE, Airports of Mauritius and AVIADEV in attendance alongside exhibitors such as NAC2000, ENV-ISA, Resqtec , Airline Pros, Avolta, Hanwha and Atelier El-Mansur to name a few. We met with remarkable technology and service partners each bringing solutions that redefine operational efficiency, security and passenger experience.

First stop was GENETEC where we spoke to Mr John Lakin who shared more about their work in digital security and identity management within the aviation space. What stood out to us their flawless approach to Digital ID Solutions systems designed to streamline access control, strengthen airport security and make identity verification more efficient and secure. It’s always inspiring to see how technology continues to shape the way airports operate.

Next stop ENSEG from the heart of Brazil, a company that’s been a reference in emergency services at airports for over 40 years.

Commercial Director Mr Flavio Faria, gave us some insight about their hands on work in airport rescue and firefighting, their specialized training for airport firefighters and their commitment to advancing safety standards across the aviation sector particularly through their large scale training operations in Brazil and Angola.

Next stop TAV Technologies, a company redefining how airports use technology to improve operations and the passenger experience. Mr Vivek Bhatt mentioned how integrated airport management systems and digital transformation can simplify everything from terminal operations to passenger flow and data management. Their flagship platform, Total Airport Management Suite (TAMS) integrates flight management, resource optimization, passenger flow and commercial operations into one intelligent ecosystem, allowing airports to predict, plan and respond in real time. With a presence in over 50 airports worldwide and serving hundreds of millions of passengers annually. Truly Inspiring!

Next stop, RESA Airport Data Systems whose technology quietly keeps airports running smoothly around the world. Mr Miguil Pilot shared how their solutions from Crews for passenger processing to Bagera for baggage tracking and Infopax for flight information, are deployed in over 300 airports across 60+ countries, helping hundreds of millions of passengers travel safely and efficiently.

Each encounter reinforced a key insight for us ; African aviation is not just keeping up with the world its innovating in ways that make sense for our context, blending global best practices with local intelligence.

All in all the conference was a major success and a vivid milestone for African aviation moving forward.