NAIROBI, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) — Chinese technology is helping modernize Kenya’s aviation sector and build a globally competitive industry that meets international standards, an official said on Wednesday.
Emile Arao, director-general of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, said that Kenya has procured air traffic control simulators from China for the East Africa School of Aviation, boosting training and air safety.
“Our cooperation with China has been beneficial because it gives Kenya access to advanced technology to guide aviation growth,” Arao told Xinhua on the sidelines of the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO) Africa Conference 2025 in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
The three-day forum, themed “Future Skies for Africa: Enhancing Alignment, Collaboration and Implementation Towards a Solutions-based Approach,” drew more than 100 participants, including experts, regulators, and industry leaders, to explore ways of cutting airline emissions.
Arao said Kenya is in talks with China on drone technology, noting that such cooperation could spur technology transfer, investment, and skills development while reinforcing Kenya’s position as a regional hub.
He noted that Kenya, a signatory to the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), has implemented measures to curb emissions.
“Kenya has adopted CORSIA regulations to monitor, report, and offset carbon emissions from international flights,” he said, adding that the country’s action plan for carbon dioxide emissions reduction outlines its wider commitment to cutting aviation greenhouse gases.
Tim Arel, chair of the CANSO Executive Committee, said Africa accounts for about 3 percent of global air traffic and has a chance to build a green aviation sector without relying on polluting legacy systems, stressing that advanced air traffic management systems can help optimize flight paths, reduce fuel use, and cut emissions.
Thabani Myeza, CANSO’s director for Africa affairs, emphasized the need for public-private partnerships to speed up investment in sustainable aviation fuels and renewable-powered airports.
