The East African Business & Investment Summit & Expo 2026, held from 25th–26th February at the Safari Park Hotel, convened regional leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to advance dialogue on trade, investment, and connectivity, with aviation recognized as a key pillar of regional integration.
On Day 2, our CEO, Liz Aluvanze joined a high-level aviation panel alongside Ms.Jackline Kwagala of East African Community Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency ( CASSOA) and Mr. Deo Nyanzi CEO,Uganda Airlines. The session was moderated by Capt. Gilbert M Kibe , Ambassador of SAATM and former Director General of Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.
During the discussion, Liz reaffirmed KAAO’s support for open skies as a catalyst for a more connected, competitive, and resilient regional aviation market, while emphasizing the need for a phased and deliberate implementation. She underscored infrastructure development, sustainable cost structures, and regulatory alignment as critical enablers, and highlighted the importance of collaboration among operators, both large and small, to ensure liberalization expands opportunity across the entire ecosystem.
KAAO remains committed to working alongside regulators and industry partners to ensure open skies delivers meaningful connectivity, commercial sustainability, and long-term growth for the region.
