Staff Reporter
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to officiate at the 10th International Civil Aviation Week (ICAO) African Indian Ocean Aviation Week (AFI Week 2025), to be held in Victoria Falls next month.
The five day conference, to be hosted by the ministry of transport and infrastructural development, as the aeronautical authority, will bring together 54 member states in the African region from 26 to 30 May 2025.
“This particular event is a platform for African States and aviation industry players to deliberate on aviation matters. The AFI Week is an annual event that is hosted by ICAO in partnership with its 54 Member States in the African region.
The event is dedicated to advancing aviation safety, security, and development across Africa. It will bring together key aviation stakeholders, including ICAO Member States, international aviation organisations such as IATA among others, aviation industry leaders, airline operators, aviation equipment manufacturers and technical experts, to collaborate on critical issues shaping the future of aviation in Africa” said transport ministry permanent secretary Joy Makumbe in statement.
Makumbe added that hosting of this event would promote the aviation sector, the accessibility of Zimbabwe by air transport and bolster the tourism industry as 300 plus foreign delegates are expected to participate.
“Zimbabwe is on an accelerated drive to promote the ICAO AFI-Week in advance of the event. From 14 to 17 April 2025, during the occasion of the 2025 ICAO Facilitation Conference in Doha, State of Qatar, the Permanent Secretary for Transport ministry permanent secretary Joy Makumbe, head of Zimbabwe’s delegation of aviation officials, took time to promote the ICAO AFI Week and invited the global aviation family to resort town” she said.
Engineer Makumbe reaffirmed, within the context of the Doha Facilitation Conference, Zimbabwe’s dedication to a safe, secure, and efficient international aviation system.
She chronicled how Zimbabwe has taken significant strides in advancing global aviation standards, including the upgradation of airports, modernization and installation of new aviation equipment, establishment of Committees, modalities and mechanisms for aviation safety and security, including legislating for the National Air Transport Facilitation Committee, which formulates and implements a facilitation programme to enhance air travel efficiency, in line with the Chicago Convention and ICAO Annex 9 on Air Transport Facilitation.
Apart from Mnangagwa, the event will be attended by a high–powered delegation including the president of ICAO, His Excellency, Salvatore Sciacchitano and secretary general of ICAO, His Excellency Juan Carlos Salazar will also attend the AFI Week 2025.
