9–11 June 2027
Lusaka International Convention Centre, Zambia
AviaDev Finance and Leasing Forum
The AviaDev Finance and Leasing Forum is Africa’s only dedicated platform connecting the Global aviation finance community with Commercial and Fleet planning leaders from over 50 airlines from across the sub-Saharan region and beyond.
Taking place as part of AviaDev Africa 2026 on 9th June, this focused half-day forum is designed to bridge the financing gap for African aviation and catalyse fleet growth and investment.
Bringing together airlines, lessors, private and development finance institutions, and OEMs, the interactive and varied programme includes an industry trends overview, keynote presentations, real-life case studies, expert panels, and airline investment pitches.
Topics covered include:
- Fleet financing strategies
- Aircraft leasing structures
- Managing credit risk in African markets
- Accessing and structuring capital for growth
Whether your goal is to finance aircraft, understand regional risk, or meet qualified airline prospects, this is the platform where aviation finance and opportunity converge.
AviaDev Africa was an invaluable experience that deepened my understanding of the aircraft financing landscape, connected me with key OEMs and industry players, and opened up tangible opportunities for fleet development that I am actively pursuing.
James Munyoki,
Kenya Airways PLC
Who Attends?
The AviaDev Finance Forum attracts a high-calibre audience from across the aviation and finance ecosystem:
Airlines
CFOs, finance teams, commercial leaders, and fleet planners seeking funding and growth partnerships.
Lessors
Global and regional leasing companies targeting emerging African markets.
Financiers
Corporate banks and credit agencies exploring structured aviation finance deals.
Development Finance Institutions
Including Afreximbank, IFC, AfDB, and others offering capital and risk mitigation.
OEMs & Manufacturers
Presenting aircraft delivery plans and strategic growth across Africa.
Legal & Advisory Firms
Supporting deal structuring, compliance, and credit assessments.
Civil Aviation Authorities
Enabling policy and regulatory environments for sustainable airline investment.
Thato Matsha
Head: Aviation Finance - Africa
Investec
Tristan Brouard
Associate Director
ACC Aviation
Jacob Bakst
Managing Director, Transportation Division
Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM BANK)
Katherine Whelan
Chief Commercial Officer
Airlink
Joep Ellers
Airline Marketing Director for Africa
Airbus
Sohail Mahmood
Chief Operating Officer
Africa World Airlines
Vincent Eva
Senior Manager: Aircraft Fleet Management
FlySafair
Diana Nyambura
Chief Executive Officer
Skyward Airlines
Abderahmane Berthe
Secretary General
African Airlines Association (AFRAA)
2026 Agenda
Wednesday 10 June
08:00 - 09:00
Registration and Refreshments
09:00 - 09:10
09:10 - 09:40
State of the industry. An overview of the African aviation finance & leasing market in 2026
Tristan Brouard
Associate Director
ACC Aviation
09:40 - 10:25
PANEL: Financing African Aviation to 2030. Who's providing the capital and on what terms?
Thato Matsha
Head: Aviation Finance - Africa
Investec
In conversation with:
Jacob Bakst
Managing Director, Transportation Division
Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM BANK)
Abderahmane Berthe
Secretary General
African Airlines Association (AFRAA)
Raphael Haddad
President
Jetcraft Commercial Limited
10:25 - 11:00
THE DEAL ROOM: How Airlink structured its Embraer E195-E2 acquisition
Moderated by:
Sean Mendis
Director
SeanMendis.com
In conversation with:
Scott Boardman
VP- Marketing
Azorra
Katherine Whelan
Chief Commercial Officer
Airlink
Adam Young
Regional VP Sales – Southern Africa
Embraer Commercial Aviation
11:00 - 11:45
PANEL: How risk can be managed, restructured and repriced in African aviation
Moderated by:
Tatenda Karuwa
Account Executive
Solus Insurance Brokers
In conversation with:
Michael Cox
Vice Chairman
Seabury Securities
Basil Gygax
Sales Director Africa
TrueNoord
Dikko Nwachukwu
Chief Executive Officer
Andara Systems
Diana Nyambura
Chief Executive Officer
Skyward Airlines
11:45 - 12:00
The role of data in fleet planning
Adeel Siddiqi
Head of Middle East and Africa
Cirium
12:00 - 12:50
PANEL: How to structure fleet strategies for growth. Matching fleet, routes and balance sheets
Moderated by:
Sean Mendis
Director
SeanMendis.com
In conversation with:
Joep Ellers
Airline Marketing Director for Africa
Airbus
Vincent Eva
Senior Manager: Aircraft Fleet Management
FlySafair
Sohail Mahmood
Chief Operating Officer
Africa World Airlines
Miles Van Der Molen
Chief Executive Officer
CemAir
12:50 - 13:00
13:00 - 14:00
Networking Lunch
14:00 - 17:00
AviaDev Outreach Programme (invited students only)
17:30 - 20:30
Opening Welcome Reception at GICC
Finance Organisations that Attended AviaDev Finance & Leasing Forum 2026
Banks & Financiers
Lessors & Leasing Advisors
OEMs & Aircraft Providers
Charter & ACMI Operators
