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Activities of the African Iniative

Ongoing Projects

CASSOA Workshop group picture

The Academic year 2025–2026 demonstrates the collaborative work by the African Initiative on expanding IASL’s leadership in African aviation law harmonisation, space law governance and institutional development, executive education and professional training.

Through a combination of clearly dated flagship events and ongoing continental initiatives, IASL has consolidated its position as a leading global hub for air and space law scholarship and policy engagement.

Upcoming Events

Visit of Judge Tladi

At the end of August 2026, Judge Tladi of the International Court of Justice is coming to give a series of lectures at Թ for the Faculty's Law Students and for the general public. More information is coming.

25 years of the Cape Town Convention Anniversary Event 15-17 November, Cape Town, South Africa

We are delighted to announce a landmark event celebrating 25 years of the Cape Town Convention. Join global leaders, regulators, academics and industry experts in Cape Town as we reflect on the Convention’s impact and look ahead to the next 25 years of international asset finance and law.


This event will be hosted by 2-REG Guernsey Aircraft Registry and the Թ Institute of Air and Space Law, and will be held in the prestigious facilities of the University of South Africa (UNISA) in Cape Town, South Africa. This anniversary event promises to be a truly memorable occasion.

RSVP atCTC [at] 2-reg.comto secure your place and receive further updates

Past Activities

Թ IASL & Rwanda Space Agency Space Law Workshop (Kigali, Rwanda, February & June 2026)

Group photo from the June RSA IASL WorkshopIn February, the IASL held a three-day training workshop on space law, policy and governance for the Rwanda Space Agency (RSA). The workshop brought together expertise from Թ’s Institute of Air and Space Law, UNOOSA and experienced space-sector professionals, with contributions from IASL faculty, and the African Research Group.

The engagement resulted in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IASL and RSA to expand collaboration between Թ IASL and Rwanda’s emerging space sector. The visit also supported broader relationship-building across Africa’s aviation and space sectors, including engagement with senior leadership at RwandAir, reinforcing the Group’s objective of advancing research, professional capacity and institutional cooperation on the continent.

In June, moderated by Dr Arnold Agaba, the Թ IASL and Space Law and the Rwanda Space Agency held a three-day workshop to support discussions on Rwanda’s domestic space law framework. Թ IASL was represented by Professor Andrea Harrington, Adjunct Professor and alumna Diane Howard, DCL candidate Judith S. Jahnke, and LLM student Melanie Munyori. The workshop brought together academic and practitioner expertise to support the development of a practical legal framework for space activities in Rwanda. The engagement concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the IASL and the Rwanda Space Agency, establishing a basis for continued institutional collaboration in space law, research, and capacity development.

Inaugural Africa Space Law & Policy Conference (Pretoria, South Africa, 28–29 May 2026)

Group picture from Inaugural Africa Space Law and Policy ConferenceԹ IASL co-hosted with University of Pretoria, the inaugural ‘Africa Space Law and Policy Conference’. The theme was “Laying Firm Legal Foundations for the Sustainable Development of Africa’s Space Economy”. The event was held online and in-person, with participants from Europe and Africa. Other attendees included: the South African National Space Agency, Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, and Department of International Relations and Cooperation. Prof Andrea participated in the panel discussions on domestic law development in Africa and military space activities and Dr. Agaba was a moderator on the panel on financing space activities. Doctoral student and member of the Africa Research Group Mirette Elgawahry was a rapporteur and facilitated the organization of the event.

Continental Workshop on Taxes, Fees & Charges (Johannesburg, South Africa, February 2026)

Group photo from First Continental workshop on Taxes, Fees and Charges in Africa in Johannesburg, South AfricaThe three-day workshop brought together representatives from African States, national civil aviation authorities, Regional Economic Communities, ICAO, IATA and leading aviation experts. Discussions focused on legal and policy alignment, sustainability and best practices to support the development of a harmonized continental framework for aviation taxes, fees and charges. Expert contributions, including presentations by Prof. Vincent Correia and Dr. Arnold Agaba of the Institute of Air and Space Law, supported dialogue on practical and forward-looking approaches to strengthening coordination and competitiveness within Africa’s aviation sector. The workshop marked an important step toward translating continental dialogue into coordinated policy action.

ASLI–IASL Advance Africa Program: Essentials in Space Law (online, 26–30 January 2026,)

The programme contributed to capacity development in space law by training African university students on the fundamentals of space law. The initiative deepened the knowledge of emerging African space-law scholars and practitioners. It also aimed to strengthen African participation in space governance and moot competitions.

Continental Workshop for Air Transport Consumer Protection Focal Points(Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 20-22 January 2026)

Group picture from Continental Workshop on Consumer Protection The IASL represented by Co-Director, Prof. Vincent Correia and Dr. Arnold Agaba, facilitated a 3-day continental workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, focusing on aviation consumer protection and regulatory harmonization. Convened by the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the workshop brought together representatives of African national civil aviation authorities, Regional Economic Communities, the African Union Commission, airline industry groups and other key aviation stakeholders.

The Research Group developed research and study material that supported the training. The engagement advanced the Group’s broader objective of deepening collaborative networks and contributing legal and policy expertise to the development of Africa’s air transport sector.

Africa Space Leadership Institute & IASL Advance Africa Program: Essentials in Air Law (online, 8–12 December 2025,)

The programme provided training for students in African universities on air law, legal research, written advocacy and oral argumentation.

It also supported preparation for air law moot court competitions and contributed to developing a pipeline of emerging African aviation law professionals, aligned with broader continental priorities including the Single African Air Transport Market under African Union Agenda 2063.

Թ IASL & Uganda Airlines Executive Training on Airline Business Law (Kampala, Uganda, 24–27 November 2025)

Group photo on staircase from above for the Uganda Airlines Training workshopHosted by Uganda Airlines, the training programme brought together aviation leaders, legal experts and industry professionals to examine regulatory frameworks, strategic management and sustainable growth in Africa’s aviation sector.

The workshop drew on expertise from Թ’s IASL Prof. Vincent Correia, Prof. P. Paul Fitzgerald, Prof. Laura Pierallini, Prof. Martine De Serres, and leading international practitioners, Mr. Jean Pierre Kesteloot and Dr. Vincent Barbaud. Supported by industry and professional partners, including Airbus, Studio Pierallini and Liedekerke, the initiative strengthened knowledge exchange, collaboration between academia and the African aviation industry, while deepening Թ IASL’s engagement with key aviation stakeholders on the continent.

Pre-ICAO 42nd Assembly Air Law Workshop – (22 September 2025, Montreal, Canada)

Group Picture from the Pre-ICAO Assembly WorkshopThe one-day workshop was hosted at the Թ IASL, and was attended by the Africa Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) Secretary General. She delivered a guest lecture on “The Challenges and Prospects for Air Transport in Africa”. The participation of the Secretary General of AFCAC as a guest lecturer at Թ IASL enriched the dialogue by allowing intercontinental comparisons between the various invited air law experts.

The session’s focus on barriers to air transport development and the vision of a “One African Sky” aligned closely with the Research Group’s objectives of supporting evidence-based discussion on regional integration, market liberalisation, regulatory coordination and the future of African aviation governance.

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