02/08/2026
CAIRO, Egypt — The Director General of the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA), Mr. Julius D. Dennis Jr., attended the 11th Africa-Indian Ocean (AFI) Aviation Week, International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) flagship regional aviation event, where more than 550 aviation leaders, regulators, and industry executives gathered in Cairo to chart the future of air transport across Africa.
The five-day conference, held from July 27 to 31, brought together civil aviation authorities, policymakers, and representatives of leading international and regional aviation organizations to discuss critical priorities, including aviation safety, security, air navigation, airport development, sustainability, digital transformation, and regional connectivity.
Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister Sameh El-Hefny opened the event alongside ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar, African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) President Florent Serge Dzota, and senior officials from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Airports Council International (ACI), the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), and other key bodies.
In his opening address, Minister El-Hefny noted that Egypt’s hosting of AFI Aviation Week reflects growing international confidence in the nation's role in global civil aviation and underscores its commitment to advancing African integration through stronger air connectivity.
Strategic Priorities: El-Hefny emphasized that Africa is a strategic priority for Egypt, noting that civil aviation serves as a vital driver of economic integration by connecting people, markets, trade, and investment.
Modernization & Expansion: Egypt is implementing an ambitious strategy to modernize its aviation sector through airport expansion, operational upgrades, and increased private-sector participation, with the goal of expanding network capacity to around 100 million passengers annually.
Hub Development: Cairo International Airport’s capacity is projected to rise to approximately 70 million passengers in the coming years, reinforcing Egypt’s position as a regional hub linking Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Additionally, national carriers plan to expand their African network to roughly 40 destinations by 2030.
Sustainability: Minister El-Hefny highlighted sustainability as a core pillar of Egypt’s aviation strategy, citing ongoing initiatives to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and expand the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in alignment with ICAO objectives and Egypt Vision 2030.
ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar remarked that the Cairo gathering demonstrated African nations' shared commitment to building a more resilient, sustainable, and integrated sector, noting that the continent remains among the world's fastest-growing aviation markets. He reaffirmed ICAO’s dedication to technical assistance, capacity building, and accelerating the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
AFCAC President Florent Serge Dzota echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that AFI Aviation Week has evolved into an essential platform for coordinating policies, modernizing infrastructure, enhancing safety and security standards, and promoting sustainable aviation fuel adoption across the continent.
On the sidelines of the conference, Director-General Dennis maintained a rigorous engagement schedule, holding high-level bilateral meetings to advance Liberia's civil aviation capabilities:
Bilateral Agreements: DG Dennis held strategic discussions with leadership from the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority, executives of EgyptAir, and Air Cairo. These talks successfully culminated in the signing of a Technical Services Agreement between the LCAA and the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority, establishing a foundational framework for expanded bilateral cooperation and technical support.
USOAP Audit Resolution: DG Dennis met with specialist personnel from AFCAC to elevate the organization's ongoing support in helping Liberia resolve the Significant Safety Concerns (SSCs) stemming from the 2022 USOAP audit.
WACAF Assist Mission: Consultations were also held with the ICAO Capacity Development and Implementation (CDI) unit. It was agreed that a WACAF assist mission will visit Liberia to assist the LCAA in developing comprehensive project proposals and strengthening institutional frameworks.
