Singapore and Africa to Deepen Collaboration in Training to Support Air Travel Revival

        The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to reaffirm our commitment to strengthen civil aviation training and promote knowledge sharing for the civil aviation sector in Africa. The agreement will expand existing collaboration between both parties to equip aviation professionals with up-to-date competencies to meet new challenges as the global aviation sector emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

2       The MOU was signed by Mr Tay Tiang Guan, Deputy Director-General of CAAS, and Ms Angeline Simana, the Interim Secretary General of AFCAC, at the 7th International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Africa-Indian Ocean (AFI) Aviation Week in Abuja, Nigeria on 16 May 2022. The signing was witnessed by Dr Amy Khor, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, and Ms Andile Mtetwa-Amaeshi, Vice President, Southern Region, AFCAC.

3       Under the MOU, Singapore will provide training to aviation professionals from 54 AFCAC member States under three key pillars: (a) Fellowships, (b) customised on-site programmes based on member States’ training needs, and (c) Directors-General Programmes. Participants awarded fellowships will undergo training at the Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA), the training arm of CAAS, on core areas including civil aviation and airport management, aviation safety and security, and accident investigation. In addition, the agreement will include an annual Roundtable for Directors-General of Civil Aviation to facilitate knowledge exchange in emerging aviation issues and support aviation development within Africa. 

4       The MOU also signifies 25 years of collaboration on civil aviation training with Africa, with more than 2,460 fellowships for aviation training awarded by the Singapore government and more than 8,000 aviation professionals trained at the SAA, since the MOU was first inked in 1997.   

5       “CAAS is pleased to strengthen our partnership with AFCAC. The MOU is an affirmation of our continued commitment to develop human capital for the advancement of civil aviation in Africa and to enable a safe and sustainable recovery of the global civil aviation sector. We look forward to welcoming aviation professionals from AFCAC member States at the SAA, as well as bringing SAA’s programmes to the region,” said Mr Tay.

6       “Over the years, the cooperation between Africa and Singapore has grown from strength to strength through training of thousands of aviation professionals. As we proceed to the next 3 years, further training will be provided to African member States based on skills gaps identified through the Training Needs Survey that was launched at this AFI Week event. I believe that such training opportunities should be targeted and specific to address the needs of Africa. Singapore and Africa cherish this mutually beneficial relationship and AFCAC remains resolute to play its critical coordination role for the benefit of both parties,” said AFCAC President, Mr Silas Udahemuka.