Our outline programme.

Day 1 – Tuesday 13 October

Registration

AFC3 Meeting – welcome coffee/tea

AFC3 Meeting (by invitation only for Full CANSO Africa Members) Our second in-person meeting for 2026. The leaders meet to discuss key regional issues affecting the organisation. This session will provide an opportunity to engage with work programme as driven by the workgroups, discuss strategic issues affecting the regional structure, leadership and funding.

AFC3 Meeting – Lunch (by invitation only)

Light lunch for workshop attendees

Workshop – UTM CONOPS This facilitated workshop will explore the UTM landscape focussing on the pathways available for the African ANSPs. Key to the clarity of strategy and definition of the operating environment. The workshop has a number of key objectives: * To take stock of where Africa and the regional ANSPs are in the implementation process; * To define different pathways available once the desired operational environment has been defined; * Take lessons from those who are ahead of the pack; * Provide tools for ANSPs to help define the operation environment and draw the full Concept of Operations; * Safety considerations (global lessons).

Networking Break

Workshop 2

Welcome Drinks

Day 2 – Wednesday 14 October

Registration and Welcome Coffee

Opening Session

Networking Break

Opening Keynote: Setting the Scene Why Africa’s ATM Transformation must be Pragmatic, Collaborative and Regionally Driven   This keynote session will provide high-level thoughts on how Africa should embark on this transformation journey while acknowledging the challenges and what has worked in the region.

Practical Pathways towards ATM Transformation and Modernisation This high-level panel will unpack the path to modernisation for the region. It will answer questions such as what are the priorities and how do we find practical pathways that will enable faster and seamless implementation, and what role could the various stakeholders play in supporting the process?

Networking Lunch

From Priorities to Implementation – Shaping Africa’s Contribution to the ICAO Minimum Implementation Path. This session will explore how the ICAO Minimum Implementation Path (MIP) could support the progressive development of safe, interoperable, resilient and scalable air navigation services across Africa, while contributing to the objectives of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).   Recognising the different operational environments, levels of maturity and investment capacities across the region, the discussion will consider how common priorities, and foundational capabilities can be identified and sequenced without adopting a one-size-fits-all approach. Participants will examine the operational outcomes that matter most to the region, the dependencies required to achieve them, and the role of regional coordination, collaboration and innovative delivery models in accelerating implementation.   The session will answer questions like: * What operational outcomes should the MIP help Africa achieve, particularly in support of SAATM? * Which foundational capabilities and dependencies should be prioritised? * How can States and ANSPs progress in a coordinated manner while recognising their different starting points? * What perspectives and priorities should Africa contribute to the development of the ICAO MIP? * How can collaboration, shared solutions and innovative financing or procurement models make implementation more affordable and scalable? * What practical actions can ICAO, CANSO, States, ANSPs and industry take to support implementation?

Networking Break

Making ATFM a Reality in Africa by 2030 – Lessons from Montreal (ANW-2026) and Mombasa ATFM Roadmap Revisited  ICAO has announced the provisions related to ATFM and these are envisaged to be applicable in November 2030. These provisions make a decisive shift – ATFM will no longer be optional but an operational necessity for all States, ANSPs and airspace users. How do we better position ourselves to support implementation of ATFM effectively and ensure seamless, resilient and optimised services across the entire aviation system?   What lessons are there from the 2018 Mombasa ATFM Roadmap? Is this part of our ATFM Transformation and how do we bring all hands-on deck to make implementation a success? This interactive workshop will cover the following:   * Dispatches from Montreal (ANW 2026) – what underpins future compliance with ICAO ATFM requirements? * Where are we as the AFI region? * Mombasa ATFM Re-visited – The past, the present and what could have been – pre-selected regional ATFM leaders; * Towards a collaborated future.

Closing session

Cocktail Dinner

Day 3 – Thursday 15 October

Registration and Welcome Coffee

Keynote Presentation – Safety Focus Mental Health and its Impact on Safety in Aviation The aviation industry operates in a high-pressure environment where safety is paramount. Historically, however, the intense focus on physical well-being has overshadowed mental health. The impact on safety manifests itself in several critical ways: * Cognitive impairment; * Safety silence and fear; * Broader implications; Globally, regulatory bodies and organisations are actively shifting the approach. Various groups are advocating for holistic mental health programmes that encompass awareness and better support systems. Our empathic speaker will help bring this home with honesty and no finger pointing while reminding us of what is important and necessary.

Safety Culture Benchmarking 101 – Using Benchmarking to Create Clear Baselines Safety culture journeys will look and feel different for each organisation. The differences are influenced by the type of organisation or industry, the starting points and, sometimes, the personalities involved. However, in those differences the core values, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that the organisation holds remain the same. Given the differences, how do organisations measure their progress or maturity and ensure that everything is moving towards the right direction.   This is where the CANSO Safety Culture Benchmarking Programme comes in. It is about making safety culture measurable to shape positive changes. The Africa region sees a lot of positive in embarking on the benchmarking journey but how do we create baselines and ensure that we set our future targets with realism and pragmatism?   As we do most of the time, we go back to our community to find out what is the real status on the ground, but how can we use what we know to shape the future and positive change?   In this moderated session, the participants, all industry safety and operational experts, will take is through a conversation journey that will reveal their thoughts, fears, experiences and practical lessons that shape safety culture in the region and the related benchmarking thereof.

Networking Break

Personal Journeys and Looking to the Future. Fusing future thoughts from the younger generation of aviation professionals while a creating a platform, in a structured way for shared approaches   Youth session –with five young air traffic controllers (with up to five years relevant working experience and aged under 32) where critical industry topics are discussed with key objective of multigenerational learning and sharing.   The participants will be encouraged to establish a structure that will exist beyond the conference where young professionals can create space to share experiences, learn from each other and provide ongoing input on the regional developments. This will include working with other organisations such as First Fruits, and ICAO New Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP).

Session Closing

Networking Lunch

COMPASS Workshop – Enhancing Regional Operational Collaboration in Africa Join CANSO and Metron Aviation for an interactive workshop on COMPASS (CANSO Operational Messaging Platform for ATFM Sharing and Synchronisation).   COMPASS is a collaborative operational platform designed to enhance regional operational awareness, cross-border coordination, information sharing, and collaborative decision-making during both routine and disrupted operations. The workshop will combine facilitated discussion, operational use cases, and live demonstrations to explore current regional coordination challenges and how greater visibility and collaboration can improve operational outcomes across the AFI region. Participants will: * Explore common regional coordination challenges across the AFI region; * Experience a live demonstration of COMPASS and its operational capabilities; * Discuss practical use cases involving weather events, airspace constraints, traffic management initiatives, integration of emerging users, and other operational disruptions; * Learn how participating ANSPs can contribute operational information and benefit from enhanced regional situational awareness; * Help shape the future direction of regional and inter-regional collaboration through COMPASS.

Conference Closing Remarks

The CANSO Africa Conference 2026 will be held at the:

Argyle Grand Hotel Nairobi Airport

JWW4 R5W Mombasa Road,

Near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport,

Nairobi,

Kenya

See the hotel on a map here

Hotel room booking and airport transfers
To book a room with breakfast at the Argyle, for USD 150 per night, please email both sales2@argylehotelkenya.ke  and reservations@argylehotelkenya.ke with your details and dates. Mention the CANSO Africa Conference 2026.

Rooms are cancellable free of charge up to two weeks before your check in date. After that, one night will be charged.

A complimentary shuttle is available from the airport to and from the Argyle. Private transfers, at your own expense, are also available. To book either option, please send your full flight details to the hotel when you make your booking, or later, using the same email thread as your room booking.

Practical Information

About Nairobi

Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is a vibrant and fast-growing city known as the economic and political heart of East Africa. Founded in 1899 as a railway depot on the Uganda Railway, it has since evolved into a bustling metropolis with a population of over four million people.

Nairobi is unique in being one of the few cities in the world with a national park — Nairobi National Park — located just a short drive from the city centre, where lions, giraffes, and rhinos roam freely.

Conference venue

The CANSO Africa Conference 2026 will be held at the:

Argyle Grand Hotel Nairobi Airport

JWW4 R5W Mombasa Road,

Near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport,

Nairobi,

Kenya

See the hotel on a map here

Airport Transfers

The following information applies only to those who are staying at the Argyle Grand Hotel Nairobi Airport

A complimentary shuttle is available from the airport to and from the Argyle. Private transfers, at your own expense, are also available. To book either option, please send your full flight details to the hotel when you make your booking, or later, using the same email thread as your room booking.

Alternative accommodation

For those not wishing to stay at the main conference hotel, these options are available.

Kindly note that if you choose to stay in one of these hotels you will be responsible for your own transportation to and from the airport, and to the conference itself. Click each hotel’s link for more information and booking instructions.

67 Airport Hotel Nairobi

7.7 km from Argyle Hotel

Airport Landing Hotel

8.3 km from Argyle Hotel

Kozi Suites

5.6 km from Argyle Hotel

Taxis and public transport

Taxis are available from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

(JKIA) to the city centre and the fare normally is between 2500 KES to 3000 KES (Kenyan Shillings) which are subject to change. However, it is advisable to agree on the fare before getting into the vehicle. Enquiries may be made at the airport information desks/counters upon arrival.

Transport is also available on ride share apps like Uber and Bolt. They are reliable and easy to use, but it is advisable to confirm the charging mechanism including toll fees, where applicable, upfront.

Registration

You can register and collect your CANSO Africa Conference 2026 badge on the following days.

It is strongly recommended to collect your conference badge on Tuesday to facilitate efficient registration process.

Tuesday 13 October

Wednesday 14 October

Thursday 15 October

Social Events

Welcome Drinks to be confirmed:

Tuesday 13 October – early evening

Venue: Argyle Grand Hotel Nairobi Airport

Dress code: Casual (though shorts not advised)

Cocktail Dinner to be confirmed

Wednesday 14 October – evening

Venue: Argyle Grand Hotel Nairobi Airport

VISA Information

We recommend you start your visa application as soon as possible with the correct information, to avoid system errors and to facilitate your arrival in Kenya.

This is especially important as no visas are issued on arrival in Kenya.

For full details of Kenya’s Visa entry requirements, see the government’s official Visa information page here.

Participants should note that Kenya operates an electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).

To apply for this, participants should login to the official Government of Kenya eTA portal

When filling out the registration form, please indicate if you need a visa invitation letter from CANSO by ticking the ‘yes’ box.

Time Zone

The time zone in Nairobi is UTC 3.

Language

While it is home to some 40 languages, the two most commonly spoken are English and Swahili. The CANSO Africa Conference 2026 will be conducted in English.

Weather

In October the weather in Nairobi is generally warm during the day with cooler evenings, and some chance of rain as the rainy season approaches,

Temperatures can reach 27 degrees celsius during the day and 13-16 degrees in the evening.

Currency

The Kenyan Shilling (KES) is the currency used in Kenya. Banknotes are in denominations of  50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 KES.

Other currencies can be changed for the KES at Foreign Exchange Bureau found in the airport, in malls and in the city centre.

Currently one USD is approximately 129 KES and one EUR is approximately 147 KES.

Bank/Credit Card

Most international credit cards including Visa, MasterCard and American Express can be used at various outlets including ATMsin Kenya.

ATM are available in shopping centres near the conference and other recommended hotels.

Standard & Chartered bank, Stanbic bank, Bank of Africa and ABSA Bank have ATMs which accept Visa.

Tipping

Tipping in Nairobi is not mandatory, but it is appreciated and increasingly common in certain settings.

Restaurants & Cafés

Standard tip: 5–10 per cent of the bill if a service charge isn’t included.

If a service charge is already added (sometimes 10 per cent), tipping extra is optional.

At casual or fast food restaurants, tipping is not expected.

Taxis & Ride-Sharing

Tipping is not expected, but rounding up the fare or giving a small tip (e.g. 50–100 KES) for good service is welcomed.

Hotel Staff

Porters: 100–200 KES per bag.

Housekeeping: 200–500 KES per stay or per day if you prefer.

Concierge: Tip based on service quality (e.g. arranging transport or tours).

Electricity

In Nairobi, you can expect plug type G (same as UK – three rectangular prongs). Delegates are encouraged to carry a travel adapter if needed.

Nairobi operates on a 240V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Wi-Fi

Complimentary Wi-Fi in the conference venue will be available for guests attending the CANSO Africa Conference 2026.

Health information

Full travel insurance is recommended for travelling to Nairobi.

Before you travel, you should also check with your doctor or local travel health clinic to see if you need any vaccinations or other treatment.

It is recommended to bring insect repellent.

It is strongly recommended for participants to have travel insurance (including health) for the duration of their stay in Kenya. Participants should particularly ensure that their insurance is applicable in Kenya.

Emergency contacts

General emergency line: 112

Police: 999, 112, or 911

Ambulance 1199

Fire Brigade: 999

International dialling code

The Kenyan international dialling code is 254

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