Rwanda is positioning itself as a continental leader in sustainable aviation as it prepares to host the Aviation Africa 2025 Summit on September 4–5 at the Kigali Convention Centre.
One of the headline sessions, “How must Africa move forward on SAF?”, will feature Silas Udahemuka, Director General of Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority, alongside Kwame Bekoe, CEO of AfriSAF.
The panel will debate how Africa can build cost-effective supply chains for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), create policy incentives, and unlock investment.
Rwanda’s track record gives weight to the discussion. The Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority recently became the second African regulator to align with IATA’s IOSA safety audit program, strengthening its credibility as a reform leader.
Meanwhile, major projects such as the Drone Operation Center (DOC) in Huye disstrict, a Rwf13.4 billion hub for training, research, and testing, underline Rwanda’s drive to blend innovation with sustainability.
This project represents a major step forward in leveraging technology for socio-economic development. Rwanda has already shown strong political will and innovation by being the first country to approve the use of drones for national-scale health delivery services.
The DOC aims to foster a supportive ecosystem for drone enthusiasts, manufacturers, operators, and researchers, positioning Rwanda as a global leader in drone technology and innovation.
Meanwhile, according to AfriSAF’s Bekoe, SAF could deliver “energy independence, green jobs, waste management, and improved air quality.”
For Rwanda, these benefits align with its national strategy of reducing reliance on imports while creating local economic opportunities.
With Kigali at the center of this debate, the summit positions Rwanda not just as a venue but as a driver of Africa’s aviation transformation.
