US aerospace group Boeing is partnering with non-governmental organisation (NGO) AviAssist to promote aviation safety in Africa. AviAssist is a non-profit organisation set up in 1995 to provide aviation safety resources and guidance for the African aviation sector, and the giant US company is its latest partner.

“Safety is fundamental to the success of our industry, and is a core value for the Boeing team," affirmed Boeing Global Safety and Regulatory Affairs director Akachi Iroezi. “Growth of the aviation industry in Africa depends on the safety of the aviation ecosystem and we are collaborating with customers, regulators and other stakeholders to help strengthen the safety of that ecosystem. Working with AviAssist gives us access to a world-class and effective way of promoting safety in the region.”

To further support the strengthening of aviation assistance across the continent, the NGO is starting to create a series of AviAssist Safety Promotion Centres (ASPCs) in Africa. The first such ASPC is in Rwanda, and, under the new partnership, Boeing will support it by providing educational programming.

The ASPCs will provide training and learning, as well as research and resources to African aviation safety “champions”. They will also link aviation safety professionals and policymakers with research. ASPC-Rwanda is hosted by the University of Rwanda and the partnership between the NGO and the aerospace group will also help support AviAssist’s trainee programme at the University.

“We are thrilled to include Boeing in our work in Africa and our ASPCs,” enthused AviAssist director Tom Kok. “With this partnership, Boeing invests in current and future African aviation professionals to help grow the continent’s aviation industry.”

The AviAssist and Boeing partnership will further assist in the production of the third series of the NGO’s free online TV safety show, ‘AviAssist Focus Sessions’. In addition, the partnership will help develop safety exhibits at ASPC-Rwanda.