South Africa, Nigeria Launch Aviation Talent Exchange
The South African Consulate General, in partnership with the Nigeria-South Africa Aviation Forum, has launched a pioneering Aviation Exchange Programme to tackle Africa’s aviation workforce shortage by building talent, boosting cross-border mobility, and deepening continental collaboration.
Led by Dr. Bobby Moroe, the South African Consul General, and powered by aviation advocate Toni Ukachukwu, the programme is managed by Aviators Management Academy with support from NGO Walk for Love Africa. It marks a major milestone in capacity building across the sector.
The programme will offer online and in-person training to aspiring aviation professionals, starting with virtual instruction followed by seven weeks of intensive classroom and practical experience at the Academy of Aviation in South Africa. Graduates will earn both South African and Nigerian aviation certifications, significantly boosting their employability across African airlines.
“This is not just about training cabin crew,” said Ukachukwu. “It’s about unlocking Africa’s aviation potential by investing in its people. We’re preparing the next generation of African aviators.”
Chinedu Engele, technical consultant for the programme, emphasized its digital-first approach. “We’re using technology to overcome infrastructure gaps and promote digital transformation in African aviation,” he said.
The programme also includes automatic employment pathways for graduates in Nigerian airlines, and the long-term vision includes a Capital Fund to offer scholarships and startup support for aspiring aviation professionals. With global forecasts predicting a need for over 20,000 aviation workers in Africa over the next decade, the initiative is positioned to fill critical industry gaps.
Discussions are already underway between the Nigeria-South Africa Aviation Forum and the African Airlines Association to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that would create a pan-African mobility framework, allowing certified professionals to work across African airlines.
Following its launch in Nigeria and South Africa, the programme is set to expand to other African nations, creating bilateral aviation forums to promote intra-African training, travel, and trade.
“This partnership is a bold step toward a connected Africa,” said Dr. Moroe. “Aviation should not only link nations—it should create opportunity, drive innovation, and foster shared prosperity.”
Key partners include: South African Consulate, Nigeria and South Africa Civil Aviation Authorities, Aviators Management Academy, Academy of Aviation (South Africa), Africa Airlines, Walk for Love Africa, and the Nigeria-South Africa Aviation Forum.
Additional Source: NewTelegraph
