AviaDev Africa, the continent’s only dedicated air service development conference, today confirmed that Zambia will host AviaDev Africa 2027, with ZACL serving as the official host partner. The announcement marks a landmark moment for Zambia’s aviation sector, coinciding with the launch of a bold new Air Access Initiative – Airlift Zambia, designed to transform the country into a leading regional connectivity hub.
AviaDev Africa brings together airlines, airports, tourism authorities, government officials and aviation service providers in a focused forum for route development, air service negotiation and connectivity strategy. Previous editions have been held in Windhoek (2024), Zanzibar (2025) and Botswana (2026). Zambia’s selection as the 2027 host underscores the country’s rising profile as one of Southern Africa’s most dynamic aviation markets.
Central to Zambia’s bid is the launch of a comprehensive Airlift Zambia initiative, designed to close critical connectivity gaps, attract new international carriers, and unlock direct long-haul routes to Europe, the Gulf, Asia and North America. ZACL has already made significant progress, with airlines including Qatar Airways, Uganda Airlines, Fastjet Zimbabwe, and, most recently, Eswatini Air commencing operations into Zambia. Proflight Zambia has also expanded its regional footprint with new services linking Lusaka and Livingstone with Windhoek, Namibia and Gaborone, Botswana creating cross-border connections that are opening new tourism and trade corridors across Southern Africa.
ZACL manages four international airports: Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (Lusaka), Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula (Livingstone, the gateway to Victoria Falls), Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe (Ndola) and Mfuwe – alongside a network of provincial aerodromes. The Airlift Zambia Initiative will leverage all four gateways to support decentralised tourism growth, with Livingstone and Mfuwe positioned as critical wildlife and adventure tourism access points.
Zambia’s aviation ambitions are inseparable from its extraordinary tourism trajectory. International arrivals have grown from approximately 1.1 million in 2022 to 2.3 million in 2025 – more than doubling of visitor numbers in just three years. The government is now targeting between 2.5 and 3 million international arrivals in 2026, with the longer-term goal of building a USD $1 billion tourism industry by 2031.
To support this ambition, Zambia has committed K1.5 billion (approximately USD $55 million) to the tourism sector in 2026, funding infrastructure development, wildlife conservation, destination marketing and the opening of remote tourism sites. Tourism already accounts for seven percent of national GDP, with the sector employing 473,000 people – a figure forecast to rise to 613,000 by 2034 if growth targets are achieved. Key source markets being targeted include Germany, the United Kingdom, North America, South Africa, India, China and the Gulf states.
Hosting AviaDev Africa 2027 is seen as a critical catalyst for accelerating route development that will directly support these tourism ambitions, by bringing international airlines and tourism buyers face-to-face with Zambia’s product in-country.
Urvesh Desai, Managing Director, Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) commented, “Zambia is at a crucial moment in its aviation story. We have the infrastructure, the ambition and the government support, what we need now is the world’s airlines to see for themselves why Zambia deserves a place on their network maps. Around Southern Africa, we are less than two hours flight from most of our neighbours, making linkages easy. Bidding to host AviaDev Africa 2027 was a natural next step for ZACL. This is Africa’s most focused forum for route development and bringing it to Lusaka means we can put our Airlift Zambia Initiative directly in front of the decision-makers who matter most. Every new route we secure is a lifeline for our tourism sector, a boost for Zambia’s exporters and a statement of confidence in this country’s future. We are proud to welcome the AviaDev community to Zambia and we intend to make 2027 a landmark edition of the conference.”
Zambia offers one of Africa’s most compelling combinations of natural spectacle, political stability and untapped aviation potential. Home to the iconic Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, as well as South Luangwa, Kafue and Lower Zambezi National Parks, Zambia is increasingly recognised as a premium wilderness destination with relatively low visitor density and an authentic, conservation-led tourism proposition.
Zambia’s Open Skies policy and the progressive removal of visa requirements for selected countries have already driven remarkable growth. The country’s macro-economic reform agenda sustained political stability and growing reputation among high-yield adventure and eco-tourism travellers make it one of Africa’s most attractive emerging destinations for international airline investment.
Lusaka is a growing regional business hub, providing AviaDev delegates with excellent onward connections across Southern, East and Central Africa, Delegates will have the opportunity to experience Zambia’s remarkable wildlife and natural attractions first-hand.
Jon Howell, CEO and Founder, AviaDev Africa said, “Zambia is exactly the kind of destination AviaDev Africa exists to serve and to celebrate. The growth in visitor numbers has been extraordinary, and yet the country is still dramatically under-connected by air, relative to its potential. That gap is an opportunity, and it is precisely the kind of opportunity our delegates are here to unlock. Urvesh and the ZACL team put together a compelling, serious bid that demonstrated both strategic vision and genuine commitment to making something happen.
We have no doubt that AviaDev Africa 2027 in Zambia will be a defining moment for the country’s aviation development, and we cannot wait to bring our community of airlines, airports and tourism leaders to this magnificent country.”
