L-R: Scheme tech consultant, Chinedu Engele, South African Consul General Dr. Bobby Moroe and Walk for Love Africa Founder, Toni Ukachukwu
In a significant milestone for African aviation, the South African Consulate General and the Nigeria-South Africa Aviation Forum have jointly launched an aviation talent exchange scheme. This initiative aims to strengthen inter-African ties through capacity building, career development, and professional mobility in the sector.
The event, held in Lagos, was led by South African Consul General Dr. Bobby Moroe. He reaffirmed his government’s support for deeper bilateral cooperation through human capital investment. According to him, the aviation talent exchange scheme is a concrete response to skills shortages and growing demand across African skies.
The scheme will be managed by Aviators Management Academy, in collaboration with Walk for Love Africa, a nonprofit focused on empowerment through tourism and transport. According to the Forum’s Founder, aviation advocate Toni Ukachukwu, the program is not only about producing cabin crew but also about connecting African aviation communities.
Initially, selected Nigerian participants will undergo virtual training before attending an in-person, seven-week course at the Academy of Aviation in South Africa. After completing the course, trainees will be awarded South African cabin crew licenses. On return, they will meet Nigeria’s licensing requirements, effectively earning dual certifications to enhance their employment prospects.
“We are unlocking aviation potential across the continent,” Ukachukwu said. “This aviation talent exchange scheme is our response to the increasing skills gap, and we are proud to take this step forward.”
The program has also been designed as a tech-first initiative, with all assessments and early learning done online. This digital model removes entry barriers and increases accessibility for aspiring aviation professionals across different regions.
Chinedu Engele, the scheme’s tech consultant, emphasized its forward-thinking nature. He noted that technology will help leapfrog many infrastructure limitations and serve as a digital bridge across African states.
The launch is being supported by both the Civil Aviation Authority of Nigeria and South Africa. It is seen as a model for similar partnerships on the continent. Walk for Love Africa has revealed plans to establish a Capital Fund to sponsor candidates through scholarships and provide seed funding for entrepreneurial projects in aviation.
Global forecasts suggest that Africa will need more than 20,000 trained aviation professionals in the next decade. The aviation talent exchange scheme is tailored to meet this challenge and equip the continent’s youth for success.
Future plans include expanding the program to more African nations. Each country will form bilateral forums under a larger pan-African network, aimed at deepening aviation cooperation.
Currently, discussions are ongoing between the Nigeria-South Africa Aviation Forum and the African Airlines Association. The planned Memorandum of Understanding is expected to enable program graduates to work across African airlines, enhancing mobility and integration.
Ultimately, this aviation talent exchange scheme marks a bold stride toward uniting Africa through the skies. It reflects a vision where aviation becomes a platform for opportunity, innovation, and shared prosperity across the continent.
