Burkina Faso: 100 Young People Trained in Aviation Careers under “Génération SAFA” Programme
The Société des Aéroports du Faso (SAFA) is expanding efforts to introduce young Burkinabè to careers in aviation. Launched in June 2026, the “Génération SAFA” programme has awarded certificates to 100 young participants, while a new partnership is expected to support pilot training scholarships and the revival of the Ouagadougou Aero Club.
First cohort of 100 young participants
The Société des Aéroports du Faso (SAFA) held a certificate award ceremony in Ouagadougou on August 14, 2026, marking the completion of the first edition of its “Génération SAFA” programme.
Out of 1,017 young people who registered, 100 completed immersion or internship programmes within SAFA’s various departments. The group included 43 minors and 57 adults, who received certificates after programmes ranging from one week to three months.
The initiative is divided into three tracks based on age: an immersion programme for young people aged 12 to 14, a supervised internship for those aged 15 to 17, and a professional internship for participants aged 18 and above.
SAFA’s objective is to give young people first-hand exposure to the airport environment and to the range of careers that support civil aviation.
Beyond the cockpit: introducing young people to aviation careers
The programme is designed primarily as a career-orientation initiative. By giving students and young people direct exposure to airport operations, SAFA aims to turn initial interest in aviation into longer-term education and career plans.
According to SAFA Human Resources Director Théodore Nadziga, “Génération SAFA” was created to enable students to discover the airport ecosystem and the professional opportunities available in the aviation sector.
The approach comes as the development of African aviation continues to depend on a broader pool of qualified professionals, extending beyond pilots to include aircraft technicians, engineers and other operational specialists.
Burkina Faso seeks to develop its future pilots
The August 14 ceremony also marked a new stage in cooperation between SAFA, the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) and the Ouagadougou Aero Club.
A convention signed by the partners provides for technical and financial support to revive the activities of the Ouagadougou Aero Club, as well as the upcoming establishment of a scholarship programme to support the training of future student pilots.
Mathias Traore, Minister of Serviteurs du Peuple and patron of the ceremony, stressed the strategic importance of developing national aviation skills.
Training Burkinabè pilots, technicians and aviation engineers, he argued, is a concrete way of strengthening the country’s sovereignty in civil aviation.
The issue also has an economic dimension. Building a stronger domestic talent pool could gradually reduce reliance on external expertise while providing airlines, airports and aviation service providers with locally trained professionals.
Turning aviation awareness into employment
The first edition of “Génération SAFA” provides an initial indication of young people’s interest in aviation careers. The 1,017 registrations recorded for 100 beneficiaries point to significant demand for programmes that provide practical exposure and career guidance.
The next challenge will be to connect these initiatives with formal qualifications, specialised training, scholarships and employment opportunities.
Vista Assurances is providing technical and financial support to the “Génération SAFA” initiative, pilot training and the revival of the Ouagadougou Aero Club.
For Burkina Faso’s aviation sector, the key challenge now is to build a clear pathway from career discovery to professional training and employment, ensuring that the interest generated by “Génération SAFA” translates into a new generation of aviation professionals.
