Global logistics players gather in Addis Ababa to come up with feasible ways towards a comprehensive global air cargo program.
The event that started yesterday July 29 with continued sessions today at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel is hosted by the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations’ (FIATA), and Airfreight Institute Chair, Dawit Woubishet of the Ethiopian Freight Federation Forwarders and Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA).
According to the statement of FIATA, the meeting that includes senior FIATA representatives to the International Air Transport Association (IATA)-FIATA Consultative Council (IFCC) and other logistics sector leaders aims to identify tangible solutions that are fit-for-purpose to address the rapidly evolving airfreight market environment in all regions around the world by building upon the considerable achievements of the previous IATA Cargo Agency Modernisation Programme (CAMP) and the IATA-FIATA Air Cargo Programme (IFACP).
“It is expected that Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as a strategic location in the region for airfreight operations, will provide an opportunity for FIATA to better understand the needs of the African region towards such global air cargo programme,” it added.
The FIATA Global Air Cargo Programme has been making significant strides, and this meeting sought to drive its progress forward with ongoing consultations with various stakeholders at the multinational and regional levels.
A key focus at the event was ensuring joint governance that reflects the current commercial standing for both freight forwarders and airline carriers.
The objective is to foster a level-playing field for companies of all sizes globally, while streamlining and harmonising the complex web of overlapping rules around the world that many freight forwarders currently navigate, in the interests of facilitating the effective operation of global supply chain actors.
Dawit told Capital that in connection with the global event those who accomplished the FIATA Training of Trainers (ToT) course will be awarded.
As is well known, EFFSAA is an active FIATA Association Member in the Africa and Middle East region, and one of its strong points is facilitating of the FIATA diploma in freight forwarding, with more than 180 certificates awarded.

The Association has also been validating FIATA training programmes since 2011. In spring 2023, it completed a ToT course with around forty participants.
As indicated in the meeting, the FIATA Director General, Stéphane Graber will join the ToT award ceremony, hosted by the EFFSAA, following an allocution he did a few months ago at the FIATA Diploma in Freight Forwarding graduation ceremony.
“Africa is one of the most fast-moving continents worldwide, with a large young workforce. FIATA is honoured to collaborate with EFFSAA, who have been working hard on improving training standards and growing their training services.” said FIATA’s Director General Stéphane Graber, adding, “Capacity building and digitalisation are key priorities for FIATA for Region Africa and Middle East, to create a strong and more resilient supply chain for all in the region.”
In addition to the award ceremony, the FIATA DG will engage in meetings with key supply chain stakeholders, including local and national authorities, to discuss critical topics such as the FIATA Digital FBL, digital transformation, capacity building, and trade facilitation.
Dawit added that the event was not only the first for Ethiopia but also the first to discuss on the issue jointly with IATA to harmonise the logistics sector will be a good occasion for the Ethiopia to show its position to host the biggest ever global logistics event.
He said that the delegation from FIATA have met with relevant government officials from the Addis Ababa City administration and the central government to evaluate the capacity of the city to host the global logistics association that formed about 97 years ago big event.
EFFSAA was also a finalist in the bid for the 2025 FIATA World Congress, which was awarded to Vietnam, and is still looking to continue its bid to be the third African country, after South Africa and Egypt, to host the world’s biggest global logistics event.
As Dawit indicates, his association is working to host the 2026 FIATA Congress in Addis Ababa, “It is a good opportunity for us to lobby and get the opportunity to host the event after three years, which is the year that FIATA will celebrate its 100 year anniversary.”
At the current stage there are three countries including Ethiopia which are finalist on the bid to get the 2026 event.