Africa Initiative: A major goal of the Department’s Africa initiative has been to assist Africa’s emergence into the global marketplace. X-20 manages the Department’s program and has been engaged in several initiatives to meet the goal.

Activity: Assisting Africa's emergence into the global marketplace.

Background: In support of the Administration's “Partnership for Growth and Opportunity in Africa”, DOT's Africa Transportation Initiative comprises three parts – Safe Skies for Africa, Nigeria Technical Assistance, and Open Skies. Each of the components of this Initiative is intended to promote sustainable improvements in aviation safety and security, and to support Africa’s integration into the global economy. In addition, this three-tiered Initiative is intended to create the environment necessary to foster the growth of aviation services between Africa and the United States.

The Safe Skies for Africa and Nigeria Technical Assistance Initiatives are based on the premise that “Safe Skies” are a prerequisite for increased trade and investment and long-term economic development in Africa. The safety and security components complement U.S. Government efforts to conclude Open Skies agreements with key African countries and promote code-share agreements between U.S. and African airlines. Specific goals of the Safe Skies and Nigeria Initiatives include: (1) increasing the number of sub-Saharan African countries that meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards (based on Federal Aviation Administration assessments); (2) improving airport security in the region; and, (3) improving regional air navigation services. These Initiatives have, with the support of the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Trade and Development Agency, and the World Bank, significantly improved safety and security in Africa. Nine countries, Angola, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mali, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe were selected in 1998 for intensive activities. [All activities in Cote d’Ivoire and Zimbabwe are on hold until there has been a Presidential determination that there have been free and fair elections.] In addition to the named Safe Skies countries and Nigeria, we are assisting select other countries in Africa on a regional basis.

The following is a summary of accomplishments and on-going activities in sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the progress made in 2002 through 2003 to promote expansion of transportation expertise, and to provide technical assistance cooperation.

Initial surveys of status of safety, security and air navigation systems conducted in 8 of the 9 Safe Skies for Africa countries, and Nigeria and Senegal.
Training and facility needs assessments were performed in Angola, Cameroon, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Namibia, Tanzania, and Uganda to identify specific training needs and to support the eventual establishment of regional training centers of excellence on the continent. A Safe Skies website was developed as a medium to exchange ideas, information, and in the long-term, to provide distance learning capabilities for the SSFA countries and Nigeria (www.ssfa.net).
Technical assistance is being provided to African countries to prepare them to meet ICAO safety standards and an FAA safety evaluation process known as an International Aviation Safety Assessment. Cape Verde, Kenya, and Nigeria are targeted as the countries most likely to meet ICAO standards in the short term, paving the way for direct air service between the U.S. and these countries.
As a result of the events of September 11, the U.S. has contributed to enhancements in aviation security in several nations on the continent.
DOT sponsored maritime security training for 20 officials of the Nigeria Ports Authority at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. and has trained another 230 officials on-site in Nigeria. The training has increased port efficiency and security at the Lagos port complex.
Department of Transportation-Sponsored Workshop at 2nd AGOA Forum: DOT hosted a workshop in Mauritius on January 15, 2003, entitled “Transportation as a Catalyst for Trade,” in partnership with the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, the Export Import Bank, and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. The workshop focused on the importance of transportation as the critical element necessary to increase regional and international trade, and investments in transportation infrastructure, services, human capacity, and ongoing efforts to assist the nations of Africa in aviation oversight and security.
On November 12-15, 2002, DOT co-sponsored a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Implementation seminar with ICAO and the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority in Nairobi. More than 20 countries from sub-Saharan Africa attended. The seminar has resulted in the development of a pilot project outline for regional implementation of Global Positioning Satellite and GNSS technology for the East African Community, comprised of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
U.S.-Africa Air Cargo Conference: In November 2002, DOT in cooperation with the U.S. Trade Development Agency and the U.S. Export Import Bank, held a forum in Washington, D.C. on the development of the air cargo trade between Africa and the United States. The conference focused on the importance of sustainable economic development and financial reform in expanding trade opportunities and sustaining progress.
PanAfrican-Caribbean Transport Conference: As part of its Safe Skies for Africa program, DOT hosted Ministers of Transport or their representatives from nine African countries at the “PanAfrican-Caribbean Conference on Air Transportation” held in Atlanta, Georgia, in April 2002. In keeping with the goal of supporting U.S.-Africa trade, DOT facilitated opportunities for the Ministers and their delegations to meet one-on-one with U.S. aviation companies.

Revised on Friday, January 16, 2004
Content is provided by Connie Hunter
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