Strengthening training and line maintenance capabilities in West Africa
In this case study, we supported an aviation group in West Africa on two connected topics:
- rebuilding a credible, approved line maintenance capability, and
- repositioning an aviation training center to serve a wider regional market.
The common objective was to turn existing assets into levers for growth while aligning with international expectations.
Line maintenance: approvals and quality of service
On the maintenance side, the starting point was regulatory: without valid, up-to-date approvals from the civil aviation authority, it is impossible to sign Certificates of Release to Service or formally provide line maintenance to third-party operators. Beyond the legal aspect, approvals are a signal of maturity: they demonstrate that procedures, documentation, competence management and safety controls are under control. That is particularly important on a hub that handles a mix of local and international traffic. The work focused on three main pillars:
Approvals and documentation – updating the Maintenance Organisation Exposition and associated procedures, aligning them with current regulatory requirements and with the actual way work is performed on the line.
People and competence – clarifying roles, documenting licences and authorisations, setting up structured training and on-the-job training paths for technicians, and making competence traceable.
Operational readiness – mapping the scope of line maintenance services (transit checks, pre-departure checks, troubleshooting, AOG support), identifying the necessary tools and equipment, and formalising safety and HSE controls.
The objective is to provide airlines with a line maintenance service that is clearly approved, predictable in terms of quality, and fully documented for their own oversight and audits.
Training: capitalizing on strengths to go regional
In parallel, the group operates an aviation training center focused mainly on airport and ground operations. Locally, it already benefits from solid experience, existing approvals and a good reputation. The question is how to build on this base to reach learners and corporate clients across West Africa. Several key themes emerged:
Capitalising on existing recognitions – making current approvals and accreditations visible and legible for regional customers, then progressively connecting them to international reference frameworks (competency-based training, standardised course design, etc.).
Bilingual and structured offer – organising the catalogue in French and English, with clearly defined programmes, calendars and assessment methods that can be reused from one customer to another.
Partnerships – working with ATOs, Part-147 organisations and universities where appropriate, for example to cover pilot, maintenance or degree-level programmes while keeping airport and ground operations as a core speciality.
Managed transformation – reinforcing governance, quality system, trainer management and digital tools (from course delivery to exam archiving), so that the organisation can handle more international clients without losing control.
This transition builds on the institute’s existing strengths and clarifies them within frameworks that are recognized regionally and internationally. The aim is to make its know-how more visible, more structured and more easily comparable for external clients, while preserving its core identity and areas of expertise.
Unlocking regional potential
Taken together, the maintenance and training projects show how regulatory approvals and recognitions can become genuine strategic assets. A robust line maintenance capability increases confidence for operators using the hub, while a structured training organisation can supply the skills needed locally and attract learners from across the region. By aligning regulations, operations and people development, such projects reveal the strong potential of West African aviation and create a foundation for sustainable growth in both maintenance and training.
If you are working on similar topics – line maintenance approvals, training strategy, or regional development – we would be pleased to discuss your context and challenges.
Reach out to our team to start the conversation.
