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AVSEC News
Improving Aviation Security in Africa
IATA/AVSEC Global’s Aviation Security (AVSEC) Newsletter 1 - August 2013
PROJECT BACKGROUND
The project “Improvement of Aviation Security in Africa” forms a component of a larger intra-ACP project (‘Support to the Air Transport Sector and Satellite
Service in Africa’) which resulted from the Naples Declaration in 2009.
In 2012, an international tender process took place which led to the Consortium formed by IATA & AVSEC Global Ltd. being awarded Service Contract
N° 2012/304-232 – Project for the Improvement of Aviation Security in Africa (EuropeAid/132538/D/SER/Multi). This Service Contract which is for a period of
3 years started on 15th January 2013.
The project Contracting Authority is the ACP Group of States Secretariat. The project is funded by the European Commission.
PROJECT OVERALL OBJECTIVE
The key project objectives are:
I. Implementation of international aviation security standards at the regional and national levels; and
II. Improvement of aviation security through technical assistance and training provided at regional and national levels.
These key project objectives contribute towards the over-riding objectives of contributing to Africa’s economic growth,
connectivity and the promotion of regional integration.
PROJECT FOCUS AND ACTIVITIES
Technical assistance and training in aviation security for countries of West and Central Africa is currently being funded by
the World Bank and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ASECNA under the ASACA Program. Therefore, the project
“Improvement of Aviation Security in Africa” has a particular focus in countries located in the Eastern and Southern Africa
region. Assistance will be focused in those countries/ airports which require corrective action(s) following the ICAO USAP
audits, present a higher than average security risk, have direct air traffic to Europe and have shown genuine interest in
improving aviation security. As described in the next section, seven (7) priority countries have been identified to-date in
consultation with the EC DG MOVE and DG DEVCO. The Project Team is currently carrying out consultations with ICAO
and AFCAC to include additional potential priority countries from the West and Central Africa region in the scope of the
project. Once feedback is received from these entities, a final list of additional priority countries will be established in
consultation with EC DG MOVE and DG DEVCO.
CONTENTS
Brahim LAKHLIFI
Key Expert & Team Leader
ACP Group Project for the
improvement of AVSEC in Africa
Tel: +212 52 222 2580
Mobile:+212 66 114 9857
E-mail: blakhlifi@gmail.com
lakhlifib@iata.org
PROJECT BACKGROUND
PROJECT OVERALL OBJECTIVE
PROJECT FOCUS AND ACTIVITIES
PROJECT EXPECTED RESULTS
REGIONAL ACTIVITIES
PRESENTATION OF THE CONTRACTOR
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING IN RWANDA
OBJECTIVES OF THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING FOR RWANDA
INTERVIEW WITH DR. MASOZERA, DG/RCAA
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WORK PLAN
ACTIVITIES CARRIED-OUT IN RWANDA
NEXT STEPS
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The project will also provide support at a regional level
through various training activities and assistance with the
development of a pool of AVSEC Trainers and Inspectors/
Auditors.
Therefore, the activities of the project will include the following:
1. At the National level, for selected priority
countries:
a. Provision of policy advice and/or technical assistance
aimed at:
I. Conducting inspections/audits to ensure the implementation of ICAO USAP Corrective Actions Plan and
compliance/rectification of deficiencies;
II. Establishing and managing an effective Aviation Security Oversight System effective National in accordance with ICAO Doc. 9734 Part C, 1st Edition – 2007;
III.Implementing appropriate security measures in
accordance with ICAO Doc. 8973 - Aviation Security Manual - 8th Edition 2011, both at the National
level and at the local level at major international
airport(s) to improve compliance with Annex 17
SARPs and other requirements such as for flights to
the EU – including measures to implement effective
airport access and perimeter controls; aircraft protection; baggage, cargo and mail screening; passenger
and carry-on baggage screening and controls; staff
checks; local supervision; and
IV.Ensuring adequate implementation of security
measures through the availability of adequately calibrated and maintained AVSEC equipment.
b. Provision of specific AVSEC training programs designed
to address national needs and to meet ICAO requirements.
2. At the Regional level:
a) Provision of AVSEC training programs designed to improve the knowledge, skills and performance of security staff in the non-priority countries and to meet ICAO
requirements.
b) Provision of computer-based equipment to suitable
aviation security training schools in the sub-Saharan
region to enhance the effectiveness of security controls
at airports.
c) Provision of technical assistance in the maintenance of
a pool of ICAO qualified aviation security trainers, inspectors and auditors.
d) Coordination with other on-going projects such as
the projects funded by the World Bank in Western and
Central Africa, ICAO’s COSCAPs in Africa including BA-
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GASOO, CEMAC, SADC and UEMOA and the ASACA
Program to avoid any overlap in the provision of technical assistance or training services.
PROJECT EXPECTED RESULTS
The expected results to be achieved under the project are:
1. The establishment of a suitable legislation and operational framework for aviation security at the national
and, where appropriate, the regional level.
2. Reduction in the number of ACP States failing to meet
ICAO SARPs in the number of corrective actions required.
3. Development of appropriately trained aviation security
inspectors and security personnel.
4. Provision of specialist equipment for suitable aviation
training schools in the Sub- Saharan African region.
These expected results will be regularly measured
throughout the implementation of the project with specific indicators (such as the reduction in the number of
corrective actions required under the USAP audits, the
number of trained aviation security personnel, etc.).
List of Priority Countries
Countries of
Eastern Africa
1. Kenya
2. Rwanda
3. Uganda
Countries of
Southern Africa
1. Mauritius
2. Namibia
3. Seychelles
4. Zimbabwe
As mentioned above, the Project Team is currently carrying out consultations with stakeholders to include additional potential priority countries from the Western and
Central Africa region in the scope of the project.
REGIONAL ACTIVITIES
Starting in 2014, training activities will be offered to all
Sub-Saharan African States at Regional AVSEC Centres
located in Eastern, Southern and Western Africa regions.
Discussions are currently underway with AVSEC Centres
to participate in the project and host regional training activities.
News on further development concerning such project
activities will be provided shortly.
PRESENTATION OF AVSEC GLOBAL LTD
Avsec Global Ltd. is a Specialist UK-based aviation security company that has extensive knowledge and experience in the design and application of security to all areas
of the aviation industry. Its work has included the physical and procedural security and, the systems design and
training for governments, regulators, airports, airlines and
ancillary operators. Avsec Global Ltd. has a thorough understanding of security regulatory compliance issues and
offers consultancy and specialist security services as well
as a wide range of security training programs.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING IN
RWANDA
The State of Rwanda has been identified as the first Beneficiary Country to receive, at no cost, in-country technical assistance and training under the project. Rwanda has
accepted in exchange and at no charge, to make office
space and training facilities available as well as to provide
assistance with local transportation for the project key experts.
The assignment in Rwanda started on 3rd June 2013 and
continued for a period of eleven (11) weeks until 16th August 2013.
PRESENTATION OF THE CONTRACTOR
The Contractor is IATA (International Air Transport Association) in consortium with AVSEC Global Ltd.
PRESENTATION OF IATA
IATA, the International Air Transport Association, is the
trade association of the world’s international airline industry. IATA is a Canadian charter not-for-profit organization.
IATA’s mission is “To represent, lead and serve the air transport industry”. Its members comprise some 240 airlines the world’s leading passenger and cargo airlines among
them - providing 84 per cent of all scheduled air traffic
worldwide.
IATA strives to ensure that people, freight and mail move
around the vast global airline network as easily as if they
were on a single airline in a single country - and that
members’ aircraft operate safely, securely, efficiently and
economically - under clearly defined and understood
rules. IATA is fully committed to supporting all aviation
stakeholders, including Governments, CAAs, airports and
ANSPs, in their efforts to achieve the safe, secure, profitable and long-term viability of the aviation industry.
OBJECTIVES OF THE TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE & TRAINING FOR RWANDA
The main objectives of the technical assistance and training for Rwanda are to:
a) Assist the State of Rwanda with implementing its Corrective Action Plan (CAP) to improve the level of effective implementation of ICAO Annex 17 SARPs.
b) Establish effective National AVSEC oversight and security quality assurance.
c) Provide advisory and technical assistance services
to ensure the implementation of appropriate AVSEC
measures compliant with ICAO Annex 17 SARPs and
guidelines concerning Kigali airport access and perimeter controls; aircraft protection; baggage, cargo and
mail controls; passenger checks; staff checks; local supervision.
d) Assess AVSEC training needs in Rwanda.
e) Develop a specific training programme to address
Rwanda’s AVSEC needs.
f) Deliver training activities to improve the capabilities of
the AVSEC stakeholders in Rwanda in implementing the
measures provided described above.
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AVSEC News
Interview with Dr. Masozera, DG/RCAA
1.As you know, this is an EU-funded project;
how do you think this initiative can be useful to your State?
The project is an in-side looking of our Security system, to
find what our deficiencies are and look for remedies in order to put up a seamless security system that will build
the confidence of our aircraft operators.
It has also been an opportunity for us to Review our
legal and regulatory frameworks and security programs, and recommendations on how to harmonize with ICAO requirements as well as European
Union requirements to which we have direct
flights and hope to increase.
2.Rwanda being the first beneficiary country,
you are going to be held as the benchmark for
this project. What actions do you intend to take to
ensure the full implementation of the technical
advice?
Dr. Richard Masozera, Director General
Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority
P.O. Box 1122 - Kigali, Rwanda
Fax: +250 582609
email(1): rmasozera@caa.gov.rw
email(2): info@caa.gov.rw
• We will lobby for high level political support of the technical
advice from this project;
• We have already started and shall continue to create awareness of all stake holders in Rwanda to have the same understanding on the advice of the experts;
• We have developed clear timelines and deliverables following this project while momentum is still there.
3. What is the RCAA AVSEC policy?
The policy of AVSEC is the protection of the safety, regularity and efficiency of domestic and international
Civil Aviation in Rwanda by providing, through the development of practices and procedures, necessary
to safeguard against acts of unlawful interference with the aim of maintaining the security of national
and foreign operators providing services from Rwanda as well as of civil airports in Rwanda supporting
domestic and international flights.
NEW AMENDMENTS OF ANNEX 17
Amendment 13 of Annex 17, 15th July 2013
This amendment 13 of Annex 17 includes a revision to access control measures
with respect to persons other than passengers. The amendment also introduces
a definition of and security requirements for transfer cargo and high-risk cargo,
and establishes common baseline measures for cargo carried on passenger and
all-cargo aircraft.
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4.Given the difference between the AVSEC systems within the ESAF region, what role can Rwanda play in the
harmonization, the interoperability and integration of those AVSEC systems?
Rwanda is a member of a regional safety and security agency of the East African Community (EAC- CASSOA). This is the best forum that we shall be able to share the best practices for the benefit of all the
five partner States. Through the agency, this will easily spread to the entire ESAF region that is normally
represented in the working group of the AVSEC experts.
5.Do you think that this project can help you improve the air traffic between the State of Rwanda and the
EU?
Absolutely, as I mentioned before, the project will help to build confidence of the Air operators from
both Africa and the EU, it will also allow our National Carrier Rwandair, that is spreading its wings across
the globe to be accepted to operate within the EU, thereby increasing the Air traffic and of course more
business with the EU.
6.The Declaration of Abuja recognizes the economic and social importance of appropriately implemented
Aviation Security requirements within a worldwide system and addresses the problems associated with
the African aviation security system such as: low level of cooperation and coordination, missing leadership and responsibility as well as missing commitment within established and critical time frames.
What role can Rwanda play in the implementation of Abuja road map to achieve the setting up of seamless
AVSEC system within the ESAF region?
The RCAA will take the lead role in lobbying Rwanda politicians and high level stakeholders in getting
involved in the resolution of AVSEC issues. As already mentioned, Rwanda is a member of EAC-CASSOA and will increase cooperation, coordination and information sharing in AVSEC with other member
States of this regional organization. Rwanda will also increase its cooperation and coordination with
the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) in an effort to contribute to the implementation of the
AVSEC objectives of the Abuja roadmap.
7.How do you envision the AVSEC sector in the ESAF region in the next 5 years?
Currently, States in the ESAF region maintain close cooperation concerning aviation security. The region
has been a target of security threats and in response many States have invested in AVSEC measures; but
a lot still has to be done and there is the intent within the region to continue increasing human, material and financial resources dedicated to AVSEC. Technical assistance and training programs such as this
one will also help States in the region. Therefore, I am confident that in the next 5 years, there will be
significant improvements in AVSEC in the ESAF region.
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AVSEC News
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WORK PLAN
Before reporting to Rwanda, the Project Team had developed an advisory and technical assistance work plan to
Improve AVSEC in Rwanda. This work plan is articulated
around four (4) main components:
1. Regulations
Proposed actions to assist RCAA to review and improve
primary aviation security law and regulations to enable
Rwanda to effectively implement the provisions of Annex
17 and take into account the findings and recommendations of the ICAO USAP report and amendment 12 and 13
of Annex 17.
2. Programmes
Proposed actions to assist RCAA in developing and harmonizing the relevant AVSEC Programmes, with ICAO
SARPs and take into account the findings and recommendations of the ICAO USAP report and amendment 12 and
13 of Annex 17.
Figure 2: Pre-assessment briefing to the task force members by IATA/AVSEC Global Key Expert and
Team Leader Mr. Brahim Lakhlifi
EC Document Management procedure defining the rules
for AVSEC document management in terms of creation,
dissemination, modification and archiving.
ACTIVITIES CARRIED-OUT IN RWANDA
3. Guidance Material
The Initial Contact
Proposed actions to assist the RCAA in developing and
harmonizing specific Guidance Material to be disseminated to the relevant AVSEC stakeholders to enable them to
meet the requirements of the national civil aviation security programme taking into account the findings and recommendations of the ICAO USAP report and amendment
12 and 13 of Annex 17.
The IATA/AVSEC Global LTD team of experts started the
provision of services to the State of Rwanda on Monday
3rd June 2013 with an inception phase.
4. Appendices ro Guidance Material
Proposed actions to assist the RCAA in developing and
harmonizing specific Guidance Material to be disseminated to the relevant AVSEC stakeholders to ensure that
AVSEC measures are conducted in compliance with the
requirements of NCASP such as Standard Operating Procedures describing the procedures for the daily routine of
AVSEC tasks to be followed by security personnel or AVS-
During the inception phase the team begun by updating
the preliminary Work Plan to confirm the propose actions
and the assignment of the experts to the different technical tasks in order to enable the provision of effective technical assistance over the longest possible period.
As part of the assistance programme, the team also carried out at this early stage, an assessment of the needs for
specific aviation security training activities to be carried
out during the last four (4) weeks at of the assignment.
The inception phase kicked-off with a successful initial
contact meeting which was held in the premises of RCAA
with Chief Aviation Security Inspector (CASI) Mr. Seth
Buhigiro. The IATA/AVSEC Global LTD Team Leader introduced the team of key experts and explained with a clear
emphasis that the team mission is to provide assistance
and not to conduct an audit of the implementation of
AVSEC measures in Rwanda.
Director General’s Welcome
Figure 1: IATA/AVSEC Global Team members in the initial contact meeting with RCAA representative Mr. Seth Buhigiro
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The commitment by Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority
was further confirmed by the Director General Dr. Richard Masozera who together with the RCAA Director of
Airports Unit, Mr. Silas Udahemuka warmly welcomed
the IATA/AVSEC Global LTD team during an introductory
meeting in the Director General’s office on 4th June 2013.
Dr. Masozera welcomed the team and reiterated the im-
implementation. The findings of the assessment were a
clear eye opener to the entire team and were positively
embraced as radar for the successful implementation
of effective security measures at airports in the state of
Rwanda.
The first Stakeholders’ Workshop
Figure 3: Discussions during the first consultative stakeholders’ workshop
portance of the project and reiterated the full cooperation
of RCAA on behalf of the State of Rwanda.
Stakeholders Kick-off Meeting
The meeting with the Director General was followed by a
kick-off meeting on 6th June 2013, with representative of
the main AVSEC stakeholders to introduce the team and
present the objectives of the Technical Assistance & Training for Rwanda. A Task force comprising representatives
from the different stakeholders was formed. This marked
the beginning of the road to improvement of aviation security for the state of Rwanda with the task force taking an
active role in the process.
The assessment was subsequently followed by a successful general workshop on Wednesday 12th June 2013
organized by the project team with participants from all
stakeholders. The workshop focused on the following
general areas:
• Overall Project Information;
• Stipulation of the objective of technical assistance and
training for Rwanda;
• General Security Awareness;
• An overview of ICAO AVSEC requirements;
• Presentation of Kigali International Airport Assessment findings to the task force;
• Assignment of tasks towards corrective action plan.
The project team in close consultation with the appointed
task force started the project by reviewing and commenting on the relevant aviation security documentation as well
as relevant aviation legislation for the purpose of aligning
them to national, regional and ICAO requirements.
Assessment of Kigali International Airport
Between 6th and 8th June 2008, an assessment of Kigali International Airport’s security system was done by the project team together with members of the appointed task
force with the aim of identifying areas where the project
would lay focus based on the deficient implementation
of security measures identified. The result of this assessment became a very useful tool in driving the project
Figure 4: Consultative Workshop for the AOC
Consultative Workshop for the AOC
Seven aircraft operators were represented during the
highly successful workshop for the AOC members held on
Thursday 13th June 2013. The operators assured the project team on their full support in ensuring the success of
the project.
High level Ministerial Workshop
Figure 5: Participants to the AVSEC Screening Workshop from Rwanda National Police and Rwanda
Defense Forces
Upon the request of RCAA, the IATA/AVSEC Global Ltd
team conducted a workshop on AVSEC Awareness, held
at the Ministry of Defense, Senior Officer’s mess on 19th
August 2013, with the Minister of Defense, Minister of Security, Director General of Immigration, Director General
of RCAA, Inspector General of Police and Air Force Commander with the objective of providing general information on the ongoing activities of the project and to raise
awareness regarding the key findings identified by the
team regarding AVSEC organization and functioning in
the State of Rwanda.
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AVSEC News
Technical Assistance Activities
From 17 June to 2 August 2013 the following advisory
and technical assistance activities were carried out:
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• Review, amendment and updating of the National
Civil Aviation Security Programme;
• Drafting of NCASP Guidance Material as appendices;
• Drafting of a new edition of the Kigali International
Airport Security Programme;
• Drafting of the National Civil Aviation Security Quality
Control Programme and the Inspector’s Manual;
• Drafting of the National Civil Aviation Security Training
Programme;
• Drafting of the Screener’s Certification Programme;
• Assessment of the Regulatory Framework;
• Meeting on cargo security to analyze the options to
include in the regulated agent regime;
• Reassessment of Kigali International Airport in order
to follow-up the implementation of the corrective
action plan.
Technical Assistance & Training Activities
in the Seychelles
The Project Team will report to Victoria, the Capital City of
the Republic of Seychelles on Monday 16th September
2013 to assist the Civil Aviation in improving aviation security. The assignment in Seychelles is scheduled for a period of eleven (11) weeks and will end on 20th November
2013. The Project Team has already exchanged information with the Seychelles CAA and is developing a Preliminary Advisory and Technical Assistance Work Plan.
Technical Assistance & Training Activities
in 2014
During 2014, it is planned that the Project Team will carry
out the project activities as follows:
Countries/Activities
Planned Dates
Kenya Technical Assistance
6 Jan. 2014 to 28 Feb. 2014
Training Activities
Kenya Training
3 Mar. to 21 Mar. 2014
From 29th July to 16th August 2013 the following training
activities have been delivered:
Regional Training Eastern Africa
31 Mar. to 9 May 2014
Uganda Technical Assistance
21 Apr. to 13 Jun. 2014
Uganda Training
16 Jun. to 4 Jul. 2014
WACAF 1 Technical Assistance
14 Jul. 5 Sep. 2014
WACAF 1 Training
8 to 26 Sep. 2014
Mauritius Technical Assistance
6 Oct. to 28 Nov. 2014
Mauritius Training
1 to 19 Dec. 2014
1. AVSEC Management Course (20 participants from main
AVSEC Stakeholders).
2. Crisis Management Course (20 participants from main
AVSEC Stakeholders).
3. Screening Workshop (20 participants from Rwanda National Police and Rwanda Defense Forces).
4. NCASP workshop (20 participants from main AVSEC
Stakeholders).
5. KIA ASP Workshop (20 participants from main AVSEC
Stakeholders).
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NEXT STEPS
Technical Assistance & Training Activities
in 2015
For 2015, it is planned that the Project Team will carry out
the project activities as follows:
Countries/Activities
Planned Dates
Regional Training Southern Africa
12 Jan. to 20 Feb. 2014
Zimbabwe Technical Assistance
23 Feb. to 17 Apr. 2015
Zimbabwe Training
20 Apr. to 8 May 2015
Namibia Technical Assistance
1 Jun. to 24 Jul. 2015
Namibia Training
27 Jul. to 14 Aug. 2015
Regional Training Western Africa
31 Aug. to 6 Nov. 2015
Project Closing
23 Nov. to 24 Dec. 2015