East African aviation sector has so far put pivotal regulatory developments aimed at enhancing air safety, promoting environmental sustainability, and accelerating technological integration. The East African Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (EAC-CASSOA), working closely with national aviation authorities such as the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA), and the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), took major steps toward modernizing regulations.
This section outlines the most important aviation regulatory changes that have shaped the region, with a focus on drone operations, emissions management, digital transformation in air traffic control, cybersecurity, pilot training, and certification of emerging technologies like electric aircraft and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) platforms.
- Emissions and Sustainability Regulations
- CORSIA in Regional Implementation
East African countries participating in ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) entered its mandatory compliance phase. Airlines such as Kenya Airways, Precision Air, and Uganda Airlines were actively submitting verified emissions data and engaging in carbon offset transactions. Regional authorities worked on harmonizing Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) processes to facilitate transparency and international compliance.
- National Climate Strategies and Green Airport Initiatives
Kenya and Rwanda implemented new national strategies to align aviation with climate action goals. The Kenya Airports Authority introduced incentives for airlines using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), while Rwanda began a pilot SAF blending program at Kigali International Airport. Although full SAF mandates were not yet in place, East African states committed to gradual adoption by 2030 through ICAO’s Long-Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) framework.
- Drone and eVTOL Regulation
- Regional UAS Regulatory Frameworks
EAC-CASSOA has adopted harmonized drone regulations across member states, based on ICAO’s UAS Model Regulations. Kenya and Rwanda advanced implementation, allowing Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations for logistics, agriculture, and surveillance. Approved operations required geo-fencing, real-time tracking, and integration with civil airspace.
- National Airspace Integration and Urban Air Mobility
Uganda and Tanzania launched pilot programs to test Urban Air Mobility (UAM) concepts in partnership with private sector players. The Ugandan Civil Aviation Authority issued its first conditional eVTOL operational approval to a cargo drone service connecting remote health centers. EAC member states began drafting airspace corridors for high-frequency drone logistics along routes underserved by traditional aviation.
- Airspace and ATC Modernization
- ADS-B and Regional NextGen Initiatives
East African states continued modernizing Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems through ICAO’s AFI (Africa-Indian Ocean) Plan. Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia expanded ADS-B ground station networks, improving surveillance coverage across the East African Flight Information Region (FIR).
- Digital Harmonization with SWIM and CPDLC
Regional efforts to harmonize with the System Wide Information Management (SWIM) architecture progressed under the EAC Aviation Infrastructure Master Plan. Nairobi and Entebbe implemented CPDLC (Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications) above FL290, with Uganda aiming for full coverage by 2026. Cross-border ATC data sharing was piloted between Kenya and Uganda using a regional cloud-based exchange system.
- Cybersecurity and Aircraft Systems
- Strengthening Airworthiness Cybersecurity
National regulators launched audits to ensure airlines segmented avionics networks, implemented multi-factor access controls, and used encrypted ground-air communications. Kenya Airways and RwandAir led the region in deploying updated cybersecurity frameworks as part of their Safety Management Systems (SMS).
- Airport Cyber Defense Enhancements
National airport authorities began complying with new cybersecurity directives, modeled after the U.S. TSA and EU ENISA standards. Nairobi and Kigali introduced Security Operations Centers (SOCs) at international terminals, focusing on ransomware defense, biometric system integrity, and resilience of air traffic control systems.
- Pilot Licensing and Training Reforms
- Modernizing ATP Licensing Pathways
To address the regional pilot shortage, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority introduced flexible training pathways for Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certification. These included VR-based simulators and modular courses through partnerships with regional flight schools. Military-to-civilian transition programs were developed in Uganda and Ethiopia, offering accelerated licensing based on prior experience.
- Competency-Based Training Implementation
Aligned with ICAO standards, several national aviation authorities in East Africa adopted Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA). By July 2024, flight schools in Kenya and Tanzania began phasing in CBTA for ab initio and recurrent training. Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways initiated CBTA-aligned cadet programs, focused on safety culture, human factors, and scenario-based training.
- Certification of New Technology
- Electric Aviation and Battery Standards
The certification of electric aircraft became a growing priority in the region. EAC-CASSOA began adapting FAA and EASA frameworks to develop guidelines for electric propulsion and battery management systems. Uganda and Rwanda partnered with emerging electric aircraft developers for trial operations in regional commuter services.Key certification criteria included electromagnetic interference mitigation, fire suppression systems for battery enclosures, and emergency landing protocols. Heart Aerospace’s ES-30 was among the first aircraft proposed for regional deployment under these adapted frameworks.
- STC Streamlining for Avionics
To modernize older aircraft fleets, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania introduced fast-track Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) processes for avionics upgrades, including GPS modernization, ADS-B integration, and cockpit automation. A regional digital portal for STC applications reduced processing times significantly, supporting domestic carriers seeking to retrofit legacy aircraft for compliance with new airspace requirements.
Conclusion
Through partnerships with ICAO, AFCAC, and other international bodies, East African regulators embraced risk-based oversight and stakeholder engagement. These efforts ensure that the region remains on track to meet future challenges in aviation safety, technology adoption, and environmental stewardship.
