At the ongoing RSOOs-RAIO Validation Workshop in Kampala, Uganda, stakeholders have stressed the need for stronger regional aviation systems. They emphasized that collaboration vital for growth remains essential in enhancing Regional Safety Oversight Organisations (RSOOs) and Regional Accident Investigation Organisations (RAIOs) across Africa for member states.
During his presentation, Representative of France Aviation Civil Services (FACS), Farid Zizu, stated that there can be no value added without active cooperation. Presenting a paper titled AFI RSOO: Creating Added Value to Member States, Zizu outlined the ongoing challenges limiting collaboration between RSOOs and national Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs).
He explained that for RSOOs to function effectively, there must be trust, a positive dynamic, and clearly defined value-added activities. According to Zizu, Member States need to see the tangible benefits of investing in RSOOs, justifying any resources provided to these regional bodies.
Moreover, he stressed the importance of credibility and transparency in managing resources, ensuring accountability, and reinforcing Member States’ confidence. Zizu said that such transparency would not only inspire trust but would also highlight where RSOOs can bring substantial value at the regional level.
Highlighting practical steps, Zizu encouraged RSOOs to develop initiatives that ease the workload of Member States significantly. He pointed to activities such as joint audits, cooperative safety oversight, and joint inspection missions as vital areas where RSOOs could deliver support.
Furthermore, he advocated that RSOOs must gradually build the autonomy needed to offer expert services independently to Member States. Zizu maintained that collaboration vital for growth is a necessary strategy, not just an option for African aviation development.
Meanwhile, Commissioner of the Accident Investigation Board (AIB) Gambia, Colonel Lawrence Jarra, raised a critical point concerning the role of RAIOs in aviation safety. Addressing participants, Col. Jarra underlined that Africa currently has just one operational RAIO, the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA).
He recalled that although BAGAIA was conceptualized in 2004, it faced major challenges before becoming fully operational in 2009. Jarra lamented that despite BAGAIA’s establishment, the RAIO framework across Africa remains weak, under-resourced, and in urgent need of development.
He emphasized that Africa must prioritize strengthening RAIOs to improve safety, provide timely recommendations, and better support the aviation industry’s growth. Without strong RAIOs, he warned, safety oversight would remain fragmented and less effective in the region.
Responding to the concerns, Farid Zizu, who also presented the Introduction of the AFI RSOO Feasibility Study, acknowledged the strategic link between RSOOs and RAIOs. He stressed that RSOOs must be empowered and efficient so that Accident Investigation Groups (AIGs) have fewer incident backlogs to address.
According to Zizu, ensuring effective RSOO operations would indirectly strengthen RAIO functions by minimizing repetitive investigations and overlapping responsibilities. He insisted that developing RSOOs and RAIOs in tandem was the surest way to achieve long-term aviation safety improvements.
As the workshop sessions continue, stakeholders increasingly agree that financial support alone will not sustain RSOOs and RAIOs. They emphasized that fostering trust, ensuring transparency, and maintaining commitment are vital elements for sustainable regional aviation governance.
