The 2025 edition of AviaDev Africa is set to take place in Zanzibar from June 11th to 13th, with preparations already in full swing. In an exclusive interview, John Howell, CEO and founder of AviaDev Africa, spoke with Seif Juma, Director General of Zanzibar Airports Authority (ZAA), about the significance of the event and the pivotal role it plays in Zanzibar’s aviation and tourism sectors.
Seif highlighted the reason behind hosting AviaDev in Zanzibar, describing it as a platform to connect the island to the world and showcase its rich offerings.
“We wanted to host Aviadev to connect Zanzibar to the rest of the world and showcase our products, and our main product is tourism. Zanzibar is a tourist island, so we offer a different range of products including sandy beaches, a very beautiful sea, we offer history, culture, as well as a Stone Town, a very beautiful town in Zanzibar and also spice farms and seafood.
“That’s why we welcome different people from the world to come and see and explore Zanzibar. It’s amazing.”
Tourism Momentum and Connectivity
When asked about Zanzibar’s air connectivity and readiness for tourism, Seif shared promising statistics. The island currently handles over two million passengers annually, a figure that continues to grow by more than 30% year-on-year. He emphasised the ongoing momentum: “We handle more than two million passengers and the growth is very promising. We can be receiving a new airline almost every week nowadays, and this season is very promising. Actually, we recently received the Dewey from the Netherlands , we also received the Taiwan from Moldova and from different parts of the world, so the traffic is promising and we have very good connectivity for now.”
Elaborating further, Seif said: “Every year it is more than 30 percent, so that is very promising and we hope we’ll grow further with assistance from our key stakeholders including the tourism commission and the airline and other airline associations.”
Expanding Zanzibar’s Aviation Infrastructure
Zanzibar Airports Authority (ZAA)has invested significantly in expanding its infrastructure to meet increasing demand. Seif detailed ongoing projects: “We are constructing two terminals. We are constructing Terminal One for VIP, VVIP and also private jet operation. We are also constructing Terminal Two that will handle up to 1.4 million passengers. We are doing the best to cope with demand and the increased traffic in Zanzibar.”
These developments have not gone unnoticed. In 2023, ZAA won two prestigious awards: one for transformation in food and beverage services, and another for being the best African airport handling fewer than two million passengers.
Opportunities Beyond AviaDev
Looking ahead, Seif sees AviaDev as an opportunity to attract new markets.
“We have a very huge opportunity in Europe and a number of passengers we are receiving from Europe, but also we are doing also the best from the Middle East and Asia and we are also working together with tourism commission to also try to bring some passengers from Africa as well to come and explore our product in Zanzibar. So far, we have very big interested parties coming to see Zanzibar and what we are offering.”
A Treat for Delegates
Beyond the conference, AviaDev attendees will have the chance to explore Zanzibar’s unique destinations. Seif encouraged visitors to immerse themselves in the island’s history and culture, particularly through sites like Stone Town with its Sultan Palaces and Slave Trade monuments.
“People need to go to Stone Town and see the old buildings, the narrow streets and also to visit the Sultan Palace, Slave Trade. There’s a very big history to understand from Zanzibar and I think they will like it because as you know that it was centre for Slave Trade, it was centre for Sultan Palaces and different history to understand well Zanzibar and the region in particular.
“The other place they can go is to see the spice farm because Zanzibar is rich in spices and I think that they would also like to see different trees offering a different kind of spices.”
In addition, visitors can explore the serene beaches, engage in water sports, and encounter playful monkeys in Jozani Forest.
With meticulous planning underway, AviaDev Africa 2024 promises to be not just a pivotal conference but also an unforgettable experience for all participants, blending business opportunities with the allure of Zanzibar’s rich culture and natural beauty.
