Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA) and the AviAssist Foundation, on Wednesday, signed a partnership deal to establish the AviAssist Safety Promotion Centre (ASPC) in the country.

The AviAssist Foundation is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting professionalism in African aviation safety. The foundation provides impartial, independent, expert safety guidance and resources for the African aviation industry.

Speaking at the signing of the agreement in Kigali, Silas Udahemuka, the director general of the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority, said the organisation will support the local and regional aviation sector in building the capacity of local industry players in safety, as well as business and leadership skills.

The deal is also geared at turning the region into a leading aviation safety resource centre, enabling Rwanda and the East and Southern African regions to become self-sufficient in safety promotion.

"RCAA is committed to promoting aviation safety in Rwanda and across the East African region. Therefore, this partnership will helps us to achieve this goal,” Udahemuka noted.

He added that the partnership with ASPC Rwanda will help develop and sharpen the skills of key players "because ensuring safety is a central factor in the industry”.

Speaking at the deal signing function, Tom Kok, the AviAssist Foundation director, said: "We are thrilled to partner with one of Africa’s leading civil aviation authorities to establish our first safety promotion centre in the region.” Kok added that it was a unique opportunity to combine experts safety promotion experience in Africa with "excellent safety oversight performance of the Government of Rwanda”.

This partnership will bring great benefits and ensure continuous professional development that the foundation brings to Africa, he added. Currently, there is a programme by the EAC bloc geared at improving air transportation safety. The programme also seeks to boost efficiency in the region’s aviation industry.