Ms Andile Mtetwa-Amaeshi, Director General of the Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority, has called for deeper African aviation collaboration, stronger regional capacity building and a broader approach to air connectivity, saying aviation should not remain an elitist mode of transport on the continent.
Speaking at the National Aviation Conference 2026, Mtetwa-Amaeshi congratulated South Africa on its recent aviation audit outcome, describing it as a continental achievement rather than a national milestone alone.
“When one African country goes up, we all celebrate,” she said, noting that aviation oversight performance is viewed collectively when Africa is compared with other regions. She said South Africa’s outcome reflected technical competence, leadership and a sustained commitment to strengthening aviation oversight systems.
According to Mtetwa-Amaeshi, the result demonstrates what is possible when consistency, purpose, collaboration between industry and government, and commitment to global standards are maintained. She added that achievements of this nature strengthen confidence not only in South African aviation, but in African aviation more broadly.
Her remarks came against the backdrop of what she described as a critical period for aviation globally and across the continent. She pointed to economic uncertainty, sustainability demands, technological disruption, cybersecurity risks, infrastructure constraints and rising passenger expectations as pressures currently facing the sector.
Despite these challenges, Mtetwa-Amaeshi said aviation remains one of the most important enablers of economic growth, connectivity, trade, tourism and regional integration. For Africa, she argued, aviation represents “the next leap” that must be made.
She noted that Africa’s share of global aviation activity has remained low, saying the continent has not yet moved meaningfully beyond the 2% to 3% range. The question, she said, is how Africa can cross that threshold.
“How do we cross over 3%?” she asked, adding that the issue should form part of the conference deliberations.
Mtetwa-Amaeshi also challenged the perception of aviation as a luxury. Flying, she said, should be viewed as a mode of transport rather than an elite service, with the class of travel being the only element that should carry an elitist distinction.
“Everybody must be able to fly,” she said. “Flying should never be an elitist thing.”
For countries such as Eswatini, she said, aviation is not a luxury but a strategic necessity. As a landlocked country, Eswatini depends on connectivity for economic resilience and future growth. This makes discussions around sustainability, innovation, safety, skills development and collaboration particularly important.
Mtetwa-Amaeshi said platforms such as the National Aviation Conference are important because they bring regulators, operators, governments and industry leaders together to develop practical solutions for the future. No country or institution, she added, can navigate the future of aviation in isolation.
“Our strength as a continent will increasingly depend on how effectively we collaborate, share expertise, build capacity and support one another,” she said.
She also suggested that South Africa has reached a level of aviation oversight maturity where it could provide consulting services to other civil aviation authorities in Africa and beyond. Rather than African authorities looking to Europe for aviation consulting support, she said there is an opportunity for expertise and resources to remain within the continent.
“Why must I in Eswatini go and contract a civil aviation authority consulting service in Europe when I can consult one just right across the border?” she said.
Mtetwa-Amaeshi commended the South African Civil Aviation Authority for convening the conference and for demonstrating leadership in the region and globally. She said South Africa’s achievements are a source of pride for the continent because African aviation performance is often assessed collectively.
She urged the sector to move beyond identifying challenges and towards action, innovation and renewed commitment. “Africa’s skies must not only be open,” she said. “They must be safe, sustainable, connected and truly transformative for the people of our continent.”
