Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to enhance safety standards, streamline regulatory oversight, and foster sustainable growth across the region’s air transport network.
The historical agreement was formally executed in Mogadishu by Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Farah Nuh, Somali Civil Aviation Authority Director General Ahmed Moallim Hassan, and Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East.
Under the terms of the strategic framework, the Somali Civil Aviation Authority will officially recognize two of the aviation industry’s premier audit frameworks: the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and the IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO). These standardized programs will serve as acceptable means of compliance with Somali national regulations.
IOSA is a globally accepted evaluation system designed to assess an airline’s operational control and management structures. Currently, more than 450 airlines worldwide are registered under IOSA, which remains a mandatory prerequisite for all IATA member carriers. Meanwhile, ISAGO delivers standardized oversight for ground-handling operations at airports, helping reduce operational risks, limit audit duplication, and drive consistent ground operations.
Crucially, officials emphasized that these international frameworks will complement, rather than replace, the statutory duties of the SCAA. The authority will continue to maintain full regulatory oversight and authority over all civil aviation activities within its sovereign airspace and territory.
The partnership forms part of IATA’s broader Focus Africa initiative, a continent-wide campaign aimed at accelerating the development of safe, secure, efficient, and economically viable air transport infrastructure across Africa. By aligning national frameworks with global standards, the initiative seeks to enhance regional connectivity and boost economic integration.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Kamil Alawadhi highlighted the shared commitment to building a resilient safety culture:
“Global safety standards are the cornerstone of efficient and safe operations. Through this MoU, we will work with the Somali CAA towards the continuous improvement of safety standards, promote the adoption of industry best practices, and foster a culture of safety across the aviation sector. This partnership reflects our mutual dedication to advancing aviation safety for the benefit of passengers, operators, and the wider aviation industry in Somalia and Africa.”
The MoU represents a crucial milestone in Somalia’s decades-long journey to rebuild its civil aviation infrastructure. Following the collapse of the central government in 1991, the nation’s air transport management and regulatory oversight suffered severe disruptions.
Over recent years, however, Somali civil aviation authorities have made significant strides toward re-establishing full national sovereignty over their air navigation services and airspace. The formal integration of recognized safety benchmarks like IOSA and ISAGO is expected to boost commercial confidence, encourage international carriers to expand operations into Somalia, and elevate national standards to match global industry norms.
