The African Section of the Ninety-Nines International Organisation of Women Pilots is committed to inspiring the next generation through our international youth outreach programmes across the African continent.
Our goal is to raise awareness not only about the Ninety-Nines International Women Pilots Organisation and the incredible legacy of women pilots worldwide, but also about the wide and diverse world of aviation. Aviation is not just about being a pilot, it encompasses engineering, air traffic control, safety management, maintenance, flight operations, and countless other roles that keep the skies moving safely every day.
Through collaboration with governments, aviation authorities, airlines, and industry organisations, we create opportunities for young people, especially girls, to explore the exciting careers that aviation offers. These programmes encourage curiosity, build confidence, and promote the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education as a foundation for future success.
We believe that when African girls are given the chance to see what is possible, they not only dream higher, they fly higher.
“We are not just inspiring future pilots; we are shaping future leaders who will take Africa’s aviation to new heights.”
Aviation Africa Summit & Exhibition Kenya 2026
The African Section of The Ninety-Nines, International Organization of Women Pilots, was proud to bring young women closer to the world of aviation through our Youth Aviation Outreach Programme, held in Nairobi alongside the 10th Aviation AFRICA Summit & Exhibition.
The two events provided very different but complementary experiences. The Youth Aviation Outreach Programme was about introducing young women to aviation, STEM and the many career opportunities within the industry, while Aviation Africa Summit & Exhibition brought selected ladies into the heart of the industry, where they could meet aviation professionals, explore the exhibition and experience one of Africa’s leading aviation events.
Our Youth Aviation Outreach Programme was created to give young women the opportunity to see that aviation is about so much more than becoming a pilot. We welcomed young women from 3 schools across Nairobi and introduced them to different aspects of the aviation industry through conversations with professionals, panel discussions and practical experiences. The programme gave them the opportunity to ask questions, hear real stories from women working in aviation and discover careers in areas such as engineering, maintenance, operations, technology, finance, safety and many others. The day also included visits to aircraft, maintenance facilities, drones and flight simulators, giving the students the chance to experience some of the technology and environments that make up the aviation world. For many of the young women, this was their first opportunity to meet aviation professionals and see these careers up close. The aim was simple — to open their eyes to what is possible and encourage them to consider aviation and STEM as part of their future.
The 10th Aviation Africa Summit & Exhibition was held in Nairobi under the theme “Breaking the Mould”, bringing together aviation leaders, airlines, regulators, airports, manufacturers, suppliers and other industry professionals from across Africa and beyond. As part of the outreach, a selected group of young women were given the opportunity to attend the conference and exhibition alongside aviation professionals and industry leaders. For the students, stepping into the conference was a completely different experience. They visited exhibition stands, spoke to companies and aviation professionals, asked questions and discovered just how broad the aviation industry really is. It was wonderful to see how curious they were. Many were not afraid to approach people, introduce themselves and ask about their work. For some, this was their first time walking into a major industry event and seeing the aviation sector from the inside.
There was also a lovely story that unfolded at our stand. Several students kept asking us if we were part of the 99s Flying School in Nairobi, Kenya. As far as we were concerned, we had no connection to the school and are not part of the 99s Flying School in Nairobi. Until a lovely lady stopped by and told us, “Oh yes, there is a connection!” We discovered an incredible piece of history and the beautiful story of Denise Morchand Erwin, a Ninety-Nines member who moved to Kenya in 1964, became a pilot in 1969 and helped establish the first Kenyan chapter of The Ninety-Nines, Inc.®, International Organization of Women Pilots. Denise later started the Ninety-Nines Flying Club, which she ran for 19 years. When she eventually left Kenya to return to her home country, the USA, she sold the flying school and passed the baton on to others. What a beautiful reminder that the history of the Ninety-Nines in Africa goes back decades — and that the 99s Flying School continues today. It was a special moment for us to discover this connection while standing at our own Ninety-Nines stand, surrounded by young women who were beginning to discover their own place in aviation.
The Youth Aviation Outreach Programme and our participation in Aviation Africa demonstrated the importance of creating opportunities for young women to meet the people behind the industry, ask questions and see the possibilities for themselves. Sometimes inspiration starts with a conversation. Sometimes it starts with seeing someone who looks like you doing a job you never knew was possible. Our hope is that the young women who joined us will take those conversations and experiences with them and continue to explore the many opportunities aviation has to offer.
A huge thank you to Aviation Africa Summit & Exhibition for their continued support of the African Section 99s and for giving us the platform to connect, inspire and continue our work with young women.
A very special thank you to our collaborators Aviation Africa, Kenya Airways, AAFRA, Wings for Women and AATSA, whose support and partnership helped bring this event to life. We are also incredibly grateful to all the industry leaders, CEOs, female pilots, speakers and volunteers who took time from their busy schedules to be there, share their knowledge, answer questions and encourage the young ladies. To our wonderful sponsors thank you for believing in the vision and helping make this day possible. Your support made a real difference. To the schools, teachers, parents and caregivers who supported the girls in attending, thank you. It truly takes a village! To the amazing teams behind the scenes, our caterers, sound team, DJ, photographers, volunteers and everyone who contributed in big and small ways we appreciate you. Finally to the 170 young ladies who showed up with curiosity, energy and big dreams keep asking questions, keep learning and keep believing in what is possible.
Thank you to everyone who visited our stand, shared a story, asked about our work or simply stopped to say hello. Every conversation helps us build a stronger and more inclusive future for African aviation. We look forward to continuing the journey and inspiring the next generation of women in aviation.
AFRAA 56th General Assembly Egypt Cairo 2024
Empowering Africa’s Next Generation of Aviators
In an inspiring initiative to nurture Africa’s future aviation professionals, a Youth Programme was launched as a collaborative effort between AFRAA, the African Section of the Ninety-Nines, EgyptAir, and the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation. This event, held in Cairo, brought together 50 young girls for an immersive experience designed to spark their interest in aviation and showcase the dynamic opportunities within the industry.
The first part of the programme for the day took place at EgyptAir’s headquarters, where participants were introduced to the airline’s remarkable history and technical expertise.
The day began with a guided tour of the EgyptAir Museum, led by Mr Mahmoud Moaez. Here, the participants learned about the airline’s legacy, exploring exhibits that chronicle its journey from inception to its present-day operations.
This was followed by a visit to the Engine Overhaul Complex at EgyptAir Maintenance & Engineering. Under the guidance of expert engineers, the participants witnessed the intricate processes involved in maintaining and overhauling aircraft engines, offering them an up-close view of one of aviation’s most critical aspects.
The second part of the day brought the participants to the Egyptian Aviation Academy, where they delved into the technical and operational facets of aviation.
The day’s highlights included a session on aviation simulators, led by the Aviation Simulator Department. Here, the young participants experienced what it feels like to control an aircraft in a highly realistic simulator environment.
In addition, they attended informative speeches and presentations by Dina Dawod from the African Section of the Ninety-Nines and Maureen Khaonge from AFRAA, who shared insights on careers in aviation and the importance of diversity in the field.
Further activities included a session on first aid conducted by the Emergency Training Department and a visit to the Cabin Crew Emergency Training Facility, where the participants explored the critical duties and emergency protocols handled by cabin crew members.
This impactful event would not have been possible without the generous support of:
Minister Sameh Elhefny
Eng. Yahia Zakaria, Chairman and CEO of EgyptAir Holding
AFRAA Secretary General Abderahmane Berthé
Maureen Khaonge from AFRAA
Special thanks also go to Dina Dawod of the African Section of the Ninety-Nines for her exceptional organisational efforts in coordinating the event, including meals and transport for the participants.
As Africa’s aviation industry is poised for significant growth, youth outreach programmes like this play a pivotal role in addressing the impending skills gap. By 2030, the sector is expected to face a shortfall of skilled professionals across various aviation disciplines. Initiatives like this one ignite a passion for aviation in young minds, providing them with a clearer pathway to careers in the industry.
This event not only showcased the possibilities within aviation but also reaffirmed the importance of collaboration in nurturing the next generation of African aviation leaders. The Youth Programme stands as a testament to what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared vision: empowering the youth and securing the future of aviation.
With the success of this event, plans are already underway for similar programmes to continue inspiring Africa’s youth. By investing in today’s young minds, we are ensuring a thriving aviation sector for tomorrow.
For the 50 young participants who walked away with new skills, insights, and dreams, the sky is no longer the limit, it is just the beginning.
Aviation Africa Summit & Exhibition Kigali Rwanda 2025
Collaborating to Unlock Africa’s Growth: Inspiring Rwanda’s Future Aviators
In August 2025, the African Section of the Ninety-Nines International Organisation of Women Pilots proudly partnered with Aviation Africa Summit & Exhibition, Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA), RwandAir Ltd, Akagera Aviation Ltd, Airbus, and GroundTime to deliver an unforgettable Youth Outreach Programme in Kigali, Rwanda.
This initiative formed part of our ongoing mission to raise awareness about aviation careers and inspire young African girls to pursue opportunities across the industry, not only as pilots, but in the many diverse and dynamic fields that aviation offers, from engineering and maintenance to flight operations, air traffic control, and airport management.
Fifty bright young female students were given the unique opportunity to explore the world of aviation first-hand. Their day began with a guided tour of Kigali International Airport, tracing every step of a passenger’s journey, from check-in and immigration, through duty-free and the departure gates, to the aircraft itself.
They then visited RwandAir’s Airbus A330-200, where RwandAir engineers explained the aircraft’s systems and operations. The excitement was palpable as the students stood under the giant engines and asked curious, intelligent questions about how aircraft fly and what it takes to work in aviation.
The next stop was Akagera Aviation, where the students were introduced to general and rotary aviation, seeing Diamond aircraft, the Robinson R44, and Agusta 139 helicopters up close. For many, it was the first time they had ever stood beside an aircraft, an emotional and inspiring moment that sparked dreams of what could one day be.
In the afternoon, the students participated in two engaging discussion panels, an Executive Panel and a Female Pilot Panel, designed to give them insight into the business, leadership, and human sides of aviation.
The Executive Panel, moderated by Ivana Alvares-Marshall, Governor of the African Section 99s, featured:
Ms Yvonne Makolo, CEO of RwandAir
Mr Mark Brown, CEO of African Aerospace Magazine & Managing Director, Aviation Africa
Ms Dina Dawod, Vice Governor, African Section 99s
Mr Timo Eckardt from Airbus delivered a powerful presentation titled “Look Up”, inspiring the students to aim higher and believe that the sky truly is not the limit.
The Female Pilot Panel brought together inspiring aviators, including Captain Esther Mbabazi, Rwanda’s first female pilot, and RwandAir and Air Force pilots who shared their journeys, challenges, and triumphs. The girls asked thoughtful, thought-provoking questions, a testament to their curiosity and growing confidence.
Day 1 of the Aviation Africa Conference was one to remember. The fifty young future aviators attended the opening ceremony proudly wearing their pilot uniforms, a powerful symbol of visibility and aspiration.
A truly unforgettable highlight was when His Excellency President of Rwanda Paul Kagame met the girls and joined them for a group photo alongside RwandAir’s female pilots. That single image captured the spirit of the entire initiative, collaboration, empowerment, and belief in Africa’s youth.
The African Section 99s extends its deepest appreciation to:
Mr Silas Udahemuka, Director General, Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority
Ms Yvonne Makolo, CEO, RwandAir
Mr Mark Brown, CEO, African Aerospace Magazine & Managing Director, Aviation Africa
We also thank Mr Timo Eckardt (Airbus), Joseph (Director) and Mr Patrick Nkulikiyimfura, Managing Director of Akagera Aviation, for their generous support and participation.
A special thank you to the RwandAir female pilots who volunteered their time to engage with the students, their stories and encouragement made a lasting impact.
And finally, a heartfelt note of gratitude to His Excellency President Paul Kagame of Rwanda for his unwavering support of girls in aviation and his commitment to empowering Africa’s youth. Your leadership sets an inspiring example for the continent.
Aviation Africa Summit & Exhibition Sandton City South Africa 2024
Bridging Skies and Leveraging Growth
The Aviation AFRICA Summit & Exhibition 2024 truly lived up to its theme, Bridging Skies and Leveraging Growth, by bringing together leaders, innovators, and organisations dedicated to advancing aviation across the continent. Among them, the African Section Ninety-Nines proudly showcased how empowerment and education can drive long-term industry growth.
Our participation began with a meaningful outreach event, Girls in Aviation Day, held at the South African Airways Museum at Rand Airport. We were privileged to host 30 girls from Aurora High School in Zola, Soweto, introducing them to the fascinating world of aviation and the many opportunities it offers.
Through aircraft tours and insightful talks by pilots Dina Dawod, Merilyn Subermoney, and Ivana Alvares-Marshall, the girls gained a first-hand understanding of aviation careers. Judy, a former SAA aeronautical engineer, captivated the group with her technical expertise and passion for the industry.
Each participant received a thoughtful gift and enjoyed a KFC meal, creating a memorable and uplifting experience. We extend heartfelt thanks to all African Section 99s members whose sponsorships made this possible.
Special recognition goes to our member Anele Nala, who coordinated logistics at short notice and whose own journey was shaped by a similar outreach event at the same museum in 2007. Her story perfectly embodies the conference’s theme: building bridges across generations and leveraging inspiration to fuel growth.
As we continue to nurture the dreams of future aviators, the African Section 99s remains committed to connecting communities, empowering women, and strengthening Africa’s aviation future, one inspired young mind at a time.