Airports are no longer simply places where people arrive and depart. Across the world, they are increasingly becoming centres of business, investment, innovation and urban development. For Africa, this shift could offer new opportunities to strengthen regional economies and accelerate integration.

This transformation will be at the centre of discussions when the University of South Africa (Unisa) hosts its second annual Aerotropolis Symposium from 9 to 11 September 2026.

The three-day symposium will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, academics and innovators to examine the future of aviation in Africa and its potential to contribute to broader economic and social development.

Following the inaugural symposium, held from 29 to 31 October 2025, this year's event will take the conversation further by exploring how aerotropolis development can support regional trade, connectivity and economic transformation.

An aerotropolis is essentially an urban development model built around an airport, with business districts, logistics networks, commercial activity and other infrastructure developing around the aviation hub. For African cities, the model raises important questions about how airports can be integrated into wider economic and urban development strategies.

The symposium will therefore look beyond aviation as a transport sector and consider how airports can serve as catalysts for investment, innovation, employment and sustainable urban development.

Jonathan Fitzgerald, Director: Airport planner and project manager

Jonathan Fitzgerald, director of airport planning and project management at V1 Neo Ltd in London, will deliver the keynote address. Fitzgerald holds a Project Professional Qualification, an MSc in Airport Planning and Management and a BSc in Civil Engineering.

His address will focus on integrated, airport-led economic ecosystems and how such developments could contribute to Africa’s growth.

The programme will also feature Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, executive mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni, and retired Lieutenant General Fabian Zimpande Msimang, former chief of the South African Air Force.

Their contributions will broaden the discussion to include aviation, regional development, intergovernmental cooperation and Africa’s competitiveness in the global economy.

The timing of the symposium is significant as African countries continue efforts to improve intra-African connectivity and strengthen economic integration. Better aviation links can play an important role in connecting people and markets, supporting tourism and trade, and creating opportunities for businesses to access regional and international markets.

For Unisa, the symposium also forms part of its wider commitment to aviation and aerospace education, research and skills development.

The university has identified aviation-led development, aeronautical research and innovation as areas that can contribute to national and continental development priorities. Through platforms such as the Aerotropolis Symposium, Unisa is creating space for researchers, industry stakeholders and policymakers to interrogate how these opportunities can be translated into practical development outcomes.

But the aerotropolis model also comes with difficult questions. Rapid airport-led development must be considered alongside issues of sustainability, equitable access, urban planning and the needs of communities located around major aviation hubs.

These considerations are particularly relevant in Africa, where cities are expanding rapidly and governments are under pressure to develop infrastructure while ensuring that economic growth is inclusive.

The symposium will consequently explore not only the growth potential of airport-centred development, but also its long-term sustainability and integration with existing urban environments.

As Africa's aviation sector prepares for continued expansion, the discussions at Unisa could help shape a broader understanding of how airports can become more than gateways to cities. They could become platforms for connecting economies, attracting investment and creating new opportunities across the continent.

Details on the venue, registration process and full programme will be announced by Unisa. Those unable to attend may follow live via YouTube: Aerotropolis Symposium Day 1;  Aerotropolis Symposium Day 2;  Aerotropolis Symposium Day 3.

* By Sipho Jack, Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement