AviaDev Africa 2025: Zanzibar dazzled as leaders gathered to shape Africa’s aviation and travel future – Nsemkeka
For three days in June, beneath palm-fringed skies and the balmy Indian Ocean breeze, over 400 aviation stakeholders from across Africa and beyond gathered on the fabled Spice Island of Zanzibar for AviaDev Africa 2025 – the continent’s premier forum for air route development and connectivity.
Hosted at the elegant Golden Tulip Zanzibar Airport Hotel, conveniently located near the fast-growing Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, this year’s edition of AviaDev brought together airlines, airports, tourism boards, government officials and service providers for conversations that were equal parts strategic, urgent and forward-looking.
Zanzibar not only delivered as an efficient and gracious host – it proved itself ready for a future where air transport, tourism, and innovation power its development agenda.
Here are six great takeaways from a truly memorable gathering.
1. Partnership is the catalyst for better connectivity
In a session I had the privilege of moderating, industry leaders tackled one of African aviation’s most pressing issues – the need for collaboration between airlines, airports and tourism authorities to unlock new air routes and stimulate demand.
Executives from Namibia Tourism Board, Proflight Zambia, and Ravinala Airports in Madagascar highlighted successful examples of joint campaigns, shared route risk, and open data exchange. A recurring theme was that no stakeholder can succeed alone – real progress comes when tourism boards and airport authorities share market intelligence with airlines, support route incubation, and work together to market destinations more effectively.
The message was clear: connectivity is a team sport, and without alignment, opportunities will continue to be missed.
2. Route development must be strategic, data-driven and demand-sensitive
In one of the most engaging sessions of the conference, aviation strategist Sean Mendis led a panel discussion with leaders from Uganda Airlines, Jambojet, Proflight Zambia, and South African Airways. The topic – airline network planning in a constrained but opportunity-rich African landscape.
The panellists shared how they are making hard choices about where to fly, how often, and with what aircraft. Jambojet revealed that smart pricing and targeted marketing helped grow its Mombasa–Zanzibar route by over 260 percent. Uganda Airlines spoke about choosing between expanding services to Dubai or launching flights to London due to limited airport slots. SAA stressed that its relaunch strategy focuses not on frequency but high-yield underserved markets, such as São Paulo and Mumbai.
Each speaker underscored the importance of matching capacity with sustainable demand, using real-time data to avoid overcapacity and financial strain.
3. Airports must evolve into experience centres – not just transit points
Airports are no longer just places to catch flights – they are becoming key commercial hubs and brand experiences in themselves. A panel moderated by Jody Appollis of NACO explored how airports across Africa are tapping into non-aeronautical revenues to stay viable and competitive.
SOGEAC (Guinea) shared how revamping retail and implementing digital car parking systems significantly increased commercial revenue. ELR UAE and Dnata outlined new approaches to airport real estate and AI-driven customer insights. Zanzibar Airports Authority spoke passionately about transforming their new terminal into a showcase of Zanzibari hospitality, with local cuisine, crafts, and intuitive passenger flow.
Investing in basics – clean facilities, good lighting, smart retail – was described as not only improving passenger satisfaction but directly influencing airport profitability.
4. Artificial Intelligence and digital innovation are the keys to scaling smart
With infrastructure investment often slow and expensive, many African aviation stakeholders are now looking to technology as a fast track to growth.
A dynamic panel addressed how Artificial Intelligence, e-commerce, and smart systems are being adopted to boost efficiency, enhance customer experience, and reduce costs. Botswana Civil Aviation Authority shared their progress with satellite navigation systems, while ELR and Dnata discussed AI’s use in forecasting retail trends, managing staff deployment, and improving resource utilisation.
Speakers called for wider rollout of digital payment platforms, contactless check-in, and modular terminal planning, arguing that embracing technology now is Africa’s best chance of future-proofing its aviation industry.
5. Zanzibar excelled as host – and showed it is ready for take-off
The conference opened with an address from President Hussein Ali Mwinyi, who laid out a compelling case for Zanzibar as a growing regional aviation and tourism hub. Tourism already accounts for 30 percent of GDP, and with over 440 weekly flights, the archipelago is already a well-connected destination. But the ambitions go further – with new infrastructure, environmental sustainability policies, and investment incentives all aimed at positioning Zanzibar as a modern gateway to East Africa.
Zanzibar’s warm and seamless hosting of AviaDev was a testament to the island’s preparedness. From smooth airport transfers to professionally managed venues and warm hospitality, the island proved itself capable not only of receiving guests but of leading conversations on Africa’s aviation future.
6. The beauty of Zanzibar was more than a backdrop – it was a living experience
Zanzibar is not a destination to be merely observed – it is to be felt, tasted and explored.
While in Stone Town, I walked through winding alleys filled with the scent of cloves and echoes of Swahili history. I visited the Old Fort, the House of Wonders, and the Anglican Cathedral, which stands solemnly on the site of the former slave market. The Freddie Mercury Museum offered a glimpse into the island’s pop culture legacy, while the Darajani Market pulsed with colour and chaos.
A boat ride to Prison Island brought me face-to-face with ancient giant tortoises, some over 100 years old, while I learned of the island’s dual history as both slave prison and quarantine station.
And on the Spice Tour, I rubbed leaves and sniffed pods – cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla, lemongrass – reconnecting with the very scents that gave Zanzibar its global name. A playful moment saw me crowned “King of Spices”, a reminder that here, even learning is wrapped in warmth and humour.
Looking ahead
AviaDev Africa 2025 will be remembered not just for what was said – but for what it signalled. From high-level strategy to grassroots inspiration, the conversations pointed to an Africa that is ready to take flight – smarter, more connected, and more collaborative than ever.
As the curtains came down, AviaDev Founder and CEO Jon Howell took to the stage and announced that AviaDev Africa 2026 will take place in Botswana – a country making strong moves in aviation modernisation and tourism growth.
From the coral beaches of Prison Island to the breakout rooms of Golden Tulip, from strategic panels to Stone Town’s spice-scented alleys, this was a summit that reminded us all – aviation in Africa is not just about movement. It is about momentum. And the future is airborne.