In continuation of its efforts to increase awareness of the benefits of implementing the Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) in Africa, the SatNav Africa Joint Program Office (JPO) in collaboration with the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA) organised the 4th outreach event in Kigali Rwanda, targeting Aviation and non-aviation experts from Eastern African Region.

Themed “Satellite Navigation for the Eastern Africa Region: SBAS State of play and use in Aviation”, the hybrid outreach event was attended by stakeholders from the African Union Commission (AUC), Regional Economic Communities (RECs) including the East African Community (EAC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD),  the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), the East African Community Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (EAC CASSOA) as well as various Air Navigation Service Providers including ASECNA, Collins Aerospace and European SBAS Service Provider ESSP.

The outcome of the workshop showcased that SBAS is gaining popularity and acceptance among African stakeholders whose application will enhance efficiency in various aviation as well as non-aviation applications. The outreach event shed light on the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology, aviation applications benefits including Performance Based Navigation (PBN) plans, the status of different regional SBAS programmes and initiatives including a review of outcomes of the demonstrations undertaken by the Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA) which provided better visibility on the performance of SBAS in Africa. Other previous outreach events and field demonstrations had been conducted by ASECNA in 2021 in Lomé, Togo for the Aviation sector, in Douala Cameroon for Helicopters, and in Brazzaville Congo for precise positioning and alerting services.

The Outreach event came to a close with confidence that the Eastern Africa region will take the necessary measures to take the implementation of SBAS in the Eastern African Region to the next level.