• Ethiopian Airlines and Ethiopian authorities signed a memorandum of understanding to expand aviation training programs.

• The initiative aims to develop technical aviation skills and create career pathways for young Ethiopians.

• The program supports Ethiopia’s strategy to align vocational training with labor market demand as African aviation expands.

African aviation continues to expand rapidly while demand for technical skills increases across the industry. In response, Ethiopian authorities and the national carrier are working to structure new training pathways to prepare a qualified workforce for the sector.

Against this backdrop, Ethiopian Airlines plans to partner with Ethiopian authorities to promote training in aviation professions and create new career opportunities for young people.

According to a post published on March 6 on the airline’s official account on X (Twitter), Bekele Bayi Oda, vice president for human capital at the airline group, signed a memorandum of understanding with Teshale Berecha, Ethiopia’s Minister of Labour and Skills.

Ethiopian Airlines Group and Ministry of Labour and Skills Ink MOU to Promote Aviation Related Skills Development. The agreement underscores a shared commitment to expanding training opportunities, enhancing institutional collaboration, and creating sustainable pathways for young… pic.twitter.com/CeEq6LrLEU

— Ethiopian Airlines (@flyethiopian) March 6, 2026

The statement said the partnership aims to “promote the development of aviation-related skills.” The partners said the initiative reflects “a shared commitment to expand training opportunities, strengthen institutional cooperation and create sustainable pathways that allow young Ethiopians to enter aviation professions and related sectors.”

A partnership to structure aviation sector skills

This initiative forms part of the long-term strategy of Ethiopian Airlines, which has invested for years in training aviation professionals.

The airline operates the Ethiopian Aviation University, which trains pilots, aircraft maintenance technicians, cabin crew members and airport service specialists.

The group regularly states that human capital development represents one of the pillars of its growth strategy. Aviation operations require specialized expertise ranging from aeronautical engineering to operational management, logistics and passenger transport services.

Meanwhile, Ethiopian authorities aim to align technical and vocational education programs with the needs of priority economic sectors. This strategy takes place in a country whose population reached roughly 134 million in 2025, with a median age close to 19 years, according to estimates compiled by DataReportal.

A response to youth employment challenges

Beyond the agreement itself, the initiative aims to prepare a new generation of professionals capable of supporting the development of aviation in Ethiopia.

In 2025, Ethiopian Airlines supported the third edition of the STEM School Program, organized in partnership with Boeing and ThinkYoung.

The program took place at Ethiopian Aviation University in Addis Ababa. The six-week intensive program delivered more than 300 hours of training. The curriculum combined theoretical courses, practical workshops, facility visits, mentoring sessions and immersive experiences in aviation professions.

These initiatives occur as African air traffic is expected to continue expanding in the coming years, which will increase demand for skilled aviation workers.

At the same time, vocational training remains a central economic issue in Ethiopia. Youth unemployment among people aged 15 to 29 in urban areas reached 27.2% in 2024. In addition, nearly 69% of non-agricultural workers operated in the informal economy, according to the Labour Market Profile 2024-2025 published by the Danish Trade Union Development Agency.

In this context, cooperation between public institutions and major national companies represents a strategic lever to align training with labor market needs.

For reference, Ethiopian Airlines, the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority and the Ethiopian Aero Club signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ethiopian government in 2024 to strengthen coordination of national aviation development initiatives.

This article was initially published in French by Félicien Houindo Lokossou

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum