Tanzania’s aviation training goes global with Aerotechnics deal

Dar es Salaam. Students pursuing aviation courses at the National Institute of Transport (NIT) are beginning to gain international recognition and secure opportunities beyond Tanzania’s borders.

This follows the signing of a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aerotechnics Company to strengthen capacity building in the country’s aviation sector.

The MoU signed on September 24, 2025, seeks to enhance training programmes, boost institutional capacity, and create international pathways for students to access both local and global aviation markets.

NIT Principal, Dr Prosper Mgaya, said the MoU will also promote the exchange of knowledge and training experiences.

“We will conduct joint training and enable our professionals to obtain international licences. Some of the training will be delivered collaboratively, allowing students to secure international certification,” he said.

Dr Mgaya added that discussions were ongoing to introduce a dual degree system.

“Anyone who earns an aircraft maintenance degree from NIT will also graduate with a degree from an international university. This will strengthen employability abroad while raising the profile of aviation studies in Tanzania to international standards,” he explained.

Through this initiative, students will gain access to globally relevant training, a modern curriculum, practical exposure, and placement opportunities with airlines and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Aerotechnics board chairman, Jared Ajwang’a, emphasised the global nature of the aviation business.

“We are exploring ways to ensure graduates from our institutions are well suited for the international aviation industry. By working in partnership with institutions that already have the expertise,

We can build the capacity of our students and professionals. This collaboration will help develop aviation education in Tanzania and position the country more firmly on the global stage,” he said.

He noted that the training is designed to reflect global standards, while also creating jobs, empowering young people, and developing technical leadership in a globalised sector.

“Our goal is to take NIT from where it is today to recognition at the international level,” Mr Ajwang’a added.

Aerotechnics Operations and Training Manager, Kina Msuya, said the collaboration would greatly benefit Tanzania’s aviation sector, particularly in drone technologies, aircraft innovations, and research.

“This partnership will propel the aviation industry forward. Students will benefit from modern equipment, high-quality training, and opportunities that will position NIT as an institution of international standing,” he said.

The International Aerospace University Professor, Ian McAndrew, who also serves as a board member at Aerotechnics, underlined the importance of preparing for future shifts in the industry.

“The next fifteen years will bring transformational changes in mobility and education. Forward-looking training such as this is crucial for shaping the sector,” he said.

An NIT aircraft maintenance engineering graduate, Mr Nathanael Daniel, shared his personal experience.

“Through NIT and the support of Aerotechnics, I was able to gain practical training in Kenya. This has helped me develop hands-on skills, and I believe that once I complete my training, I will contribute significantly to the growth of Tanzania’s aerospace industry,” he said.