The Tanzanian government has stepped up calls for the faster ratification of international air law treaties to sustain the rapid transformation of the aviation industry in East Africa.

As the global aviation sector undergoes unprecedented technological shifts, Tanzania is positioning itself at the forefront of regulatory reform. The government is urgently pushing for the domestication of international air law treaties, arguing that a robust legal framework is essential for navigating the complexities of modern airspace management.

This initiative, driven by the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority, has significant regional implications. As East African nations strive for greater economic integration, harmonized aviation laws are viewed as a critical catalyst for boosting trade, tourism, and diplomatic ties across the continent.

Navigating the AI and Drone Era

The push for modernization comes amid sweeping changes in global aviation technology. The integration of Artificial Intelligence, the proliferation of unmanned aircraft systems, and escalating cybersecurity threats are rapidly reshaping the operational landscape.

Attorney General Hamza Johari highlighted these challenges while officially opening the 2026 Air Law Treaty workshop in Dar es Salaam. Organized in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the event brought together over 150 participants, including dozens of international delegates.

"These developments present immense opportunities for innovation, but they also raise complex legal and ethical questions," Johari stated. "We must therefore rethink how we legislate, regulate and enforce aviation laws."

The Backbone of Global Connectivity

Effective air transport requires a resilient legal system. The aviation industry plays a pivotal role in connecting markets and driving economic growth, but these benefits are entirely dependent on a sound, harmonized system of international air law.

Since 1947, the International Civil Aviation Organisation has developed 24 critical air law treaties, forming the backbone of the global civil aviation framework. However, many states, including Tanzania, lag in ratifying and fully domesticating these agreements into national legislation.

• Technological Adaptation: Updating laws to safely integrate drones and AI-driven navigation systems.
• Cybersecurity Protocols: Establishing strict legal mandates to protect critical aviation infrastructure from digital threats.
• Regional Harmonization: Aligning Tanzanian laws with international standards to facilitate the Single African Air Transport Market.

The East African Aviation Landscape

For the broader East African Community, Tanzania's proactive stance is highly relevant. Neighboring Kenya and Uganda are simultaneously grappling with how to regulate emerging airspace technologies without stifling innovation.

By expediting the ratification process, Tanzania aims to become a regional aviation hub. A modernized legal framework will attract foreign investment, assure international airlines of regulatory stability, and enhance the safety and efficiency of cross-border flights.

Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority Director General Salim Msangi described the Dar es Salaam workshop as a critical catalyst. "As an aviation authority, we use this forum to better understand these treaties and facilitate their domestication into our national laws so that they can be effectively implemented," Msangi explained.

Enforcing Aviation Laws Across Jurisdictions

The three-day workshop focused heavily on identifying existing legal gaps and providing local experts with the tools needed to expedite the ratification process. It outlined the strict benefits and obligations that states assume when they become parties to these international legal instruments.

Resolving jurisdictional challenges is a priority. When aviation laws are universally enforced, the risks associated with rogue drone operations, airspace violations, and cyber-attacks are drastically minimized.

"People must know that there is justice and a place to seek redress, just like in the courts of law," noted a participating legal expert. As Tanzania races to update its statute books, the entire East African region watches closely, recognizing that the future of African aviation depends on the strength of its laws today.