The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has urged Ethiopia to improve incentives, working conditions, and resources for aviation inspectors. This recommendation follows a safety oversight audit conducted from October 14 to 27, 2026, which identified areas requiring attention at the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA). The audit team welcomed improvements in inspectors' compensation but called for additional measures to recruit, train, and retain qualified staff.
The ICAO audit team, led by Ousman Kemo Manjang, highlighted the need for appropriate equipment, training, and working facilities to support inspectors in carrying out their responsibilities. ECAA Director General Yohannes Abera stated that the government had approved a new incentives and benefits package for regulatory staff two weeks before the audit debriefing. The ICAO team emphasized that support should extend across the authority's technical divisions to help it meet growing oversight demands.
Ethiopia's aviation sector has expanded significantly, increasing demand for inspectors capable of monitoring compliance with national regulations and international standards. According to the audit results, Ethiopia recorded an overall effective implementation score of 85.76 percent, up 22.84 percentage points from the 62.92 percent recorded in the previous audit in 2015. Yohannes stated that the sector had grown substantially over that period, with 269 registered aircraft, 13 air operators, and six aviation schools.
Despite the overall improvement, the results showed declines in several technical and organizational categories. The organizational oversight score fell from 77.78 percent to 72.73 percent, while airworthiness oversight declined from 98.06 percent to 89.38 percent. Air navigation services dropped from 87.38 percent to 80 percent, operations declined from 83.9 percent to 80.16 percent, and personnel licensing edged down from 88.61 percent to 87.91 percent.
The audit identified shortcomings in the country's aviation legislation, with concerns about provisions in the 2020 aviation law concerning the recognition of certificates and licenses issued by other states. The team raised concerns about the wording making recognition discretionary, whereas it should be mandatory under the relevant international framework. The audit also found that Ethiopia had not formally notified or published significant differences between its national aviation regulations and ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices.
Yohannes stated that a draft revised aviation law had been submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval, intended to address deficiencies in the existing framework. The authority will also need to demonstrate consistent implementation of the updated requirements. The assessment of Ethiopia's State Safety Programme recorded a score of 81.25 percent, with the ICAO team calling for improved record-keeping, guidance materials, and implementation of oversight procedures across aviation divisions.
The ICAO team emphasized that these measures are intended to ensure that regulations are applied consistently and that safety risks are identified and addressed. Aircraft accident and incident investigation was excluded from the latest assessment, with ICAO stating that a separate audit would cover that area, with its findings subsequently combined with the current assessment in a consolidated report.
Key points
- ICAO urges Ethiopia to improve incentives and working conditions for aviation inspectors to retain experienced personnel and address staffing concerns.
- Ethiopia's aviation sector has expanded significantly, increasing demand for inspectors capable of monitoring compliance with national regulations and international standards.
- The audit identified areas for improvement, including shortcomings in aviation legislation and declines in technical and organizational categories.
