Botswana has boosted its reputation as a growing centre for aviation and tourism after successfully hosting AviaDev Africa 2026. The event brought together top aviation and tourism leaders from across Africa and added over US$1.2 million (about P16 million) to the local economy.
The three-day conference in Gaborone brought together airlines, airports, tourism officials, investors, and aviation experts from Africa and other regions. It provided a space for talks that could help shape the future of air travel across the continent.
AviaDev Africa CEO, Jon Howell said the conference enabled industry leaders to hold over 1,500 scheduled meetings. These meetings focused on expanding air routes, forming partnerships, and finding new investment opportunities.
“Over the course of three days in Gaborone, more than 1,500 pre-scheduled meetings took place between airlines, airports, tourism authorities, and industry stakeholders, all with the shared objective of strengthening air connectivity across Africa,” said Howell.
“These discussions are expected to translate into new routes, strategic partnerships, and increased investment in the continent’s aviation sector in the months ahead. Building on the success of previous editions and driven by record-breaking attendance in 2025, AviaDev estimates that this year’s event generated in excess of US$1.2 million for the local economy through direct and indirect delegate expenditure, delivering a significant economic boost to Gaborone and Botswana.”
Hosting the event meant more to Botswana than just a successful conference. It gave the country a chance to show its goals of becoming more accessible to tourists, traders, and investors, and to take part in important talks about the future of aviation in Africa.
“Aviation has a unique ability to connect people, markets, and opportunities,” said Mosinyi. “Events such as AviaDev Africa help create the relationships and understanding needed to support sustainable growth across the continent. We are honoured that Botswana had the opportunity to host these conversations and contribute to the future development of Botswana and African connectivity.”
The event also served as a strategic platform for the Botswana Air Access Project, an initiative aimed at improving the country’s regional and international air access.
Dr. Bao Mosinyi, who leads Air Botswana and chairs the Botswana Air Access Project, said the conference showed how important aviation is for economic growth and bringing the region together.
“Aviation has a unique ability to connect people, markets, and opportunities,” said Mosinyi. “Events such as AviaDev Africa help create the relationships and understanding needed to support sustainable growth across the continent. We are honoured that Botswana had the opportunity to host these conversations and contribute to the future development of Botswana and African connectivity.”
The Botswana Air Access team met with more than 10 regional and international airlines at the event to discuss new and existing air services to Botswana. This has raised hopes for more flights and new routes to the country.
Captain Thuto Toise, CEO of the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana and spokesperson for Botswana Air Access, called the event a shared success for both the aviation and tourism sectors.
“The success of AviaDev Africa 2026 belongs to everyone who participated and contributed to it, from our sponsors and partners to the airline representatives, delegates, and organisers who travelled to Botswana and engaged so openly throughout the week,” said Toise.
“Together, we demonstrated what is possible when the aviation and tourism sectors work towards a common goal of improving connectivity across Africa.”
Botswana Air Access also expressed gratitude to AviaDev Africa, sponsors, industry partners, delegates, speakers, and participating organisations for their support, which contributed to the conference’s success.
The event ended on Saturday with a golf day sponsored by Botswana Oil, attended by over 50 representatives. Organisers called it one of the most impactful aviation gatherings ever held in Botswana.As delegates left Gaborone, attention turned to putting the event’s discussions into action. With new airline talks and partnerships underway, Botswana aims to leverage the momentum from AviaDev Africa 2026 to improve air access, boost tourism, and strengthen regional ties through enhanced connectivity.
