VivaJets, a leading Pan-African business aviation firm, has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding into Francophone Africa. The company recently participated in the fifth UK-West and Central Francophone Africa Trade and Investment Forum (WCAF V) held in Conakry, Guinea, in October. This engagement underscores VivaJets' strategic focus on deepening regional connectivity and supporting economic development across the continent. WCAF V brought together government representatives, institutional stakeholders, businesses, and international partners to explore trade, investment, and economic opportunities in Francophone West and Central Africa.
The WCAF V forum, themed ‘From Cooperation to Transformation: Building the Future of Development in Africa,’ provided a platform for VivaJets to build meaningful relationships with stakeholders. Chief Executive Officer of VivaJets, Erika Achum, emphasized the significance of Francophone Africa in VivaJets' expansion plans. According to Achum, Francophone Africa presents a key opportunity to deepen regional connectivity and support the movement of people, ideas, and investment across the continent. VivaJets aims to be a trusted aviation partner to businesses and institutions shaping Africa's future.
VivaJets' participation in WCAF V follows its recent involvement in the Africa Energy Week (AEW) in Cape Town. At AEW, the company met stakeholders across the continent's energy sector, further solidifying its commitment to supporting Africa's economic development. The company's engagement in these forums demonstrates its focus on understanding regional markets and building partnerships that can translate into practical opportunities for connectivity and collaboration.
VivaJets has made significant strides in its growth trajectory, expanding its fleet to eight aircraft just over a year after receiving its Air Operator Certificate (AOC). The company has also secured two rounds of credit investment from London-based TLG Capital to support its expansion plans. This growth is not limited to fleet size; VivaJets is also building its operational strength, service capability, and partnerships to connect businesses and people across diverse African markets.
According to Chief Operating Officer of VivaJets, Tejumade Salami, the company's expansion is about more than growing its fleet. It is about developing the operational capabilities and partnerships needed to support the connectivity needs of businesses and institutions across Africa. Salami emphasized that VivaJets' participation in WCAF V provided an opportunity to listen to stakeholders, understand regional realities, and explore how the company can support their connectivity needs as its operations continue to scale.
The Head of Growth and Innovation at VivaJets, Basil Agbor, highlighted the importance of understanding regional markets and building partnerships. Agbor noted that expanding into new markets starts with understanding the people, businesses, and institutions that operate within them. WCAF V created a platform for these conversations, allowing VivaJets to engage with stakeholders who are actively shaping investment and development across Francophone Africa.
As VivaJets continues to grow, it remains focused on translating relationships into practical opportunities for connectivity, collaboration, and long-term value. The company believes that innovation in African aviation must be grounded in a clear understanding of the markets it serves and the challenges they face. With its expanded fleet and strengthened partnerships, VivaJets is well-positioned to support the growth and development of businesses and institutions across Francophone Africa.
Key points
- VivaJets has expanded its fleet to eight aircraft and secured two rounds of credit investment from TLG Capital to support its expansion plans.
- The company participated in the fifth UK-West and Central Francophone Africa Trade and Investment Forum (WCAF V) to build relationships with stakeholders and understand regional connectivity needs.
- VivaJets aims to be a trusted aviation partner to businesses and institutions shaping Africa's future, with a focus on deepening regional connectivity and supporting economic development.
