Meet our speaker

Graduate Engineer in Mechanical Engineering at the French “Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon,” Mr. Gaoussou Konate is an aviation sector expert with over 40 years of experience. Since January 2019, Gaoussou has been the Consulting Director Technical and Operations department of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA). His accountabilities cover engineering, flight, ground operations, safety, and security support, including airport and air navigation tax, fees, charges, joint projects (MRO, line maintenance, fuel procurement, consultancy services), training, and air transport. His position has changed to Advisor to the Secretary General since July 2024.
As a nine-month consultant at the AfDB, Gaoussou helped coordinate and collaborate on developing the Bank’s framework and guidelines to support the African aviation sector in 2018. Before that, he developed his professional and managerial skills in international aviation organizations such as ICAO (2012 to 2016, Deputy Regional Director (Western and Central Africa (WACAF)), and IATA (2001 to 2012, AFI Regional Director SO&I). At IATA, he was responsible for the Safety, Operations, and Infrastructure Department (Africa & Indian Ocean – AFI). He contributed to the performance of these organizations’ priorities in Africa, the safety and security improvement of operational areas, and the infrastructure of airports and air navigation systems. He participated in and led several IATA and ICAO technical missions at various airports in Africa, i.e., Nairobi, Lagos, Kinshasa (Ndjili and Ndolo), Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, Johannesburg, Bissau, Agadir, Kisangani, Mbuji Mayi, and Dakar Blaise Diagne international airports. IATA awarded his leadership skills for achieving Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM) in AFI. Gaoussou played a pivotal role in the identification of the Abuja Safety Targets. IATA presented Gaoussou with a platinum plate for his achievement in Africa.
Gaoussou initiated the championship approach to State assistance in ICAO SARPS implementation, and during his tenure, WACAF became the first ICAO Region without Significant Safety Concerns (SSC). He led the ICAO Team, negotiated, and successfully secured the AfDB grant to support safety and security certification for airports in West Africa through the PASTA-CO project.
Gaoussou started his career at Air Afrique in 1979. The airline seconded him to AFRAA, and he served the Association as Technical Director from 1990 to 2000.