What ASECNA does

ASECNA (Agence pour la Sécurité de la Navigation Aérienne en Afrique et à Madagascar) is an intergovernmental agency founded in 1959 and headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, that provides air navigation services on behalf of 19 African and Indian Ocean member states. The agency manages roughly 16 million square kilometers of airspace (approximately 1.5 times the size of Europe) through a cooperative model that consolidates ATM, aeronautical meteorology, Communications/Navigation/Surveillance (CNS), and Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) functions under a single continental provider. Its infrastructure footprint includes 5 Regional Centers for Upper Airspace (CRNA), 17 ATC centers equipped with monopulse radar and ADS-C/CPDLC, the AFISNET VSAT satellite telecommunications network, an SBAS program based on European EGNOS, and ADS-B satellite surveillance deployed in partnership with AIREON.

Revenue is generated primarily through usage-based aeronautical charges: route charges account for 36% of traffic and approach/departure (ARR/DEP) charges for 64%, billed to airlines and aircraft operators using ASECNA-managed airspace. Supplementary revenue comes from airport management services, engineering/maintenance/calibration, and aviation training delivered through four ICAO-affiliated institutions (EAMAC, ERNAM, ERSI, and the AVSEC/ICAO Training Centre). Capital programs are financed through member-state contributions, aeronautical revenues, and development partnerships — most notably a €60 million AFD convention supporting the 423 billion FCFA PSE 2018-2022 plan, plus credit facilities from BACI and ICAO Technical Cooperation Bureau.

The customer base is structurally captive on the government side (19 member states via intergovernmental convention, with Rwanda joining as the 19th on January 1, 2024) and volume-driven on the airline side. ASECNA is governed by a Committee of Ministers, a Board of Directors (currently presided by Sinaly Silué, installed April 30, 2026), and a Director General (Prosper Zo'o Minto'o, installed December 30, 2024). The organization holds ISO 9001:2008 certification and is pursuing ISO 9001:2015 via Rwanda Standards Board as of May 2026.

Name

ASECNA

Legal name

Agence pour la Sécurité de la Navigation Aérienne en Afrique et à Madagascar

Website

https://asecna.aero

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

ASECNA is an intergovernmental air navigation service agency, founded 1959 and headquartered in Dakar, providing ATM, meteorology, CNS, AIM, and training services across 19 African and Indian Ocean member states spanning ~16 million sq km of airspace.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Air Navigation Services

NAICS

Air Traffic Control (488111), Airport Operations (48811), Support Activities for Air Transportation (4881)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Instrumentation, Controls & Automation Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAM)

Keywords

• Air navigation services
• Air traffic management
• Aviation meteorology
• Communications navigation surveillance
• Aeronautical information management

Headquarters

HQ city

Dakar

HQ country

Senegal

HQ region

Africa

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Aeronautical Fees and Charges: ASECNA generates revenue primarily through aeronautical fees charged to airlines and aircraft operators for air navigation services. Route traffic (en-route) represents 36% of traffic and is the essential source of agency charges, while arrivals/departures (ARR/DEP) represent 64% of traffic from airport activities within FIR/TMA boundaries.
2. Airport Management Services: Revenue from managing airport infrastructure including navigation aids, air traffic control towers, and related services at member state airports
3. Technical Services: Services including engineering, maintenance, calibration, and training provided to member states and civil aviation authorities

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ASECNA provides unified air navigation services across 19 African and Indian Ocean member states, encompassing Air Traffic Management (ATM), aeronautical meteorology, Communications/Navigation/Surveillance (CNS) infrastructure, and Aeronautical Information Management (AIM). The agency also delivers engineering studies, equipment maintenance, calibration, airport management, and training through specialized schools.

Product overview

ASECNA provides a unified suite of air navigation services across 19 African member states, encompassing Air Traffic Management (ATM), aeronautical Meteorology, Communications/Navigation/Surveillance (CNS), and Aeronautical Information Management (AIM). The agency also delivers engineering studies, equipment maintenance, calibration, and airport management services through a network of field representations. Training is delivered through three specialized schools: EAMAC (African School of Meteorology and Civil Aviation) in Niamey, ERNAM (Regional School of Air Navigation and Management) in Dakar, and ERSI (Regional School of Fire Prevention) in Douala, plus an ICAO AVSEC Training Centre.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EAMAC: Ecole Africaine de la Météorologie et de l'Aviation Civile - African School of Meteorology and Civil Aviation, based in Niamey, Niger, providing initial and continuing training in meteorology, civil aviation, electronics and informatics.
• ERNAM
• ERSI
• Centre de formation AVSEC/OACI

Products and services

• Air Traffic Management (ATM) Air traffic management services covering en-route, approach, and aerodrome control across ASECNA's airspace jurisdiction spanning 19 African nations. Provided to airlines and member state civil aviation authorities.
• Aeronautical Meteorology Aeronautical meteorological services providing weather information, forecasts, and observations for flight operations across member states.
• CNS (Communications, Navigation, Surveillance) Communications, navigation, and surveillance infrastructure and services supporting safe air navigation, including VHF/HF radio networks, VSAT systems, radar, and satellite-based positioning.
• AIM (Aeronautical Information Management) Aeronautical information management services providing aeronautical data, NOTAMs, and charts for flight planning and operations.
• Engineering and Studies Engineering and consulting services for aviation infrastructure projects, including feasibility studies, design, and technical advisory.
• Maintenance Services Maintenance services for aviation navigation equipment and infrastructure across member state facilities.
• Calibration Services Calibration services for aeronautical navigation aids ensuring compliance with international standards.
• Airport Management Airport management services including operational support, infrastructure maintenance, and air navigation services at partner airports.
• Aviation Training Training services delivered through ASECNA's network of specialized schools covering aviation meteorology, air navigation, fire safety, and management.
• EAMAC (African School of Meteorology and Civil Aviation) African School of Meteorology and Civil Aviation located in Niamey, Niger; provides initial and continuing training for meteorology, civil aviation, electronics, and informatics personnel; recognized as an ICAO Regional Training Centre of Excellence (RTCE).
• ERNAM (Regional School of Air Navigation and Management) Regional School of Air Navigation and Management based in Dakar, Senegal; specializes in civil aviation security, airport management, management, IT, civil engineering maintenance, and English language training.
• ERSI (Regional School of Fire Prevention) Regional School of Fire Prevention established in Douala, Cameroon; provides initial and continuing training in airport firefighting, rescue operations, and civil protection; ICAO-recognized as Africa's leading fire safety training institution.
• AVSEC/ICAO Training Centre ICAO AVSEC (Aviation Security) Training Centre providing specialized security training for aviation personnel.

Quantifiable outcome

• Route traffic grew 4.12% year-over-year with 4.05% average annual growth 2010-2014
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rwanda Standards Board (RSB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2026ASECNA signed a contract with RSB on May 8, 2026 in Kigali for ISO 9001:2015 certification of highly strategic activities related to air navigation safety and efficiency. This partnership demonstrates ASECNA's commitment to operational excellence.
• Republic of RwandacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2026ASECNA signed two major agreements with Rwanda on May 7, 2026 in Kigali to strengthen operational capabilities of civil aviation and African expertise in satellite and space technologies. Rwanda became the 19th member state effective January 1, 2024.
• ENASA (Empresa Nacional de Aeroportos e Segurança Aérea, Sao Tome and Principe)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2023New cooperation agreement signed January 23, 2023 at ASECNA headquarters in Dakar between ENASA DG Antonio Trindade and ASECNA DG Mohamed Moussa.
• Thales Alenia SpacecoreTechnology or Integration · 8 February 2019Contract signed February 8, 2019 in Dakar for preliminary definition study (Phase B) of ASECNA's SBAS (Satellite-Based Augmentation System) program. SBAS is based on European EGNOS and aims to enhance navigation and surveillance operations during all flight phases.
• CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, France)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2018Meeting on February 23, 2018 focused on cooperation between ASECNA and CNES/France in satellite navigation, particularly SBAS program activities.
• AIREONcoreTechnology or Integration · 9 January 2018Partnership agreement signed January 9, 2018 at ASECNA headquarters in Dakar for satellite-based ADS-B surveillance. This technology enables enhanced air navigation safety in all ASECNA-managed airspace, including previously hard-to-cover areas such as deserts, maritime spaces, and zones of latent insecurity.
• European UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 December 2016International agreement signed December 5, 2016 in Brussels on satellite navigation. The agreement between ASECNA and EU enables implementation of SBAS services based on EGNOS technology for enhanced aviation safety in Africa.
• Guinea Air Navigation Authority (ANAC-G)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2016MoU signed March 24, 2016 at ASECNA headquarters in Dakar between ASECNA DG Amadou Ousmane Guitteye and ANAC-G DG Amara Camara for three-year cooperation.
• CAAS (Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2016MoU signed February 17, 2016 in Singapore for aviation training cooperation. The agreement was signed between ASECNA DG Amadou Ousmane Guitteye and CAAS DG Kevin Shum on the sidelines of the Singapore Airshow.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• EUROCONTROL: Pan-European intergovernmental ANSP coordinating air traffic management across 41 European states under a cooperative mandate. ASECNA's operating model - exclusive regulatory mandate for member states, shared CNS infrastructure, route charges as primary revenue - is structurally identical to EUROCONTROL's, just at a smaller continental scale.
• NAV CANADA: Canada's private, non-profit ANSP operating the world's second-largest airspace by area. Comparable to ASECNA on cooperative governance, self-funded fee-based economics, and large low-density airspace management challenges, particularly relevant given ASECNA's transcontinental, mostly oceanic/desert airspace.
• ATNS (Air Traffic and Navigation Services) South Africa: South Africa's primary ANSP and the regional counterpart to ASECNA; the two already cooperate via the AFISNET-SADC interoperability MoU signed in 2017. ATNS provides a directly comparable commercial ANSP model serving a mix of domestic, regional, and overflight traffic in sub-Saharan Africa.

Broad incumbents

• NATS Holdings (UK): UK's principal ANSP, a public-private partnership providing en-route and terminal services across one of the world's busiest and most complex airspaces. Relevant as a large-scale ANSP benchmark for operating performance, SES-equivalent transition, and ATM technology adoption even though it is not cooperatively structured like ASECNA.
• DSNA (Direction des Services de la Navigation Aérienne): France's civil ANSP, part of the DGAC within the Ministry of Ecological Transition. Provides ANSP services across French airspace (including overseas territories) and is ASECNA's natural historical and technical counterpart in the francophone aviation ecosystem and a senior partner in the EGNOS/SBAS cooperation.

Regional players

• NAMA (Nigerian Airspace Management Agency): Nigeria's national ANSP, operating independently of the ASECNA cooperative and managing one of the largest and most complex African airspaces. Closest single-state African competitor to ASECNA and useful as a benchmark for service quality, fee structure, and modernization execution in West/Central Africa.
• Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA): East African civil aviation regulator and ANSP responsible for Kenya's busy airspace and as a major hub for African aviation. Comparable as a regional peer serving a single high-traffic market that complements ASECNA's broader cooperative footprint.

Emerging players

• Aireon: Provider of space-based ADS-B surveillance built on the Iridium NEXT constellation and an existing ASECNA technology partner (2018 MoU). Increasingly relevant peer as satellite-based surveillance reshapes African airspace coverage and as ASECNA evaluates next-generation CNS service models.

Others

• Frequentis: Austrian-headquartered supplier of air traffic management voice communication, surveillance, and aeronautical information systems, supplying ANSPs globally including several in Africa. Adjacent, enabling peer because it underpins much of the controller tooling ASECNA's operations rely on.
• Indra Sistemas: Spanish IT and ATM systems provider with deep exposure to ANSP modernization programs globally. Relevant as an ecosystem participant whose automation and surveillance platforms increasingly bid into African ATM tenders that ASECNA runs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asecna

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ASECNA