Marking a year of rapid growth since its launch at EBACE 2012, the African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) announced this week at EBACE 2013 that it plans to stage a business aviation expo of its own next April in conjunction with the Marrakech Air Show. The expo and airshow will be held next April 23 to 26 at Marrakech Menara Airport.

AfBAA’s expo will cover 540,000 sq ft, providing room for exhibit booths, aircraft static displays and chalets.

“The association’s commitment to launch a dedicated show demonstrates AfBAA’s pledge to bring together African aviation companies from a wide variety of sectors,” said AfBAA founding chairman Tarek Ragheb. “Things have evolved for AfBAA very fast.”

Ragheb also announced that the African Union has granted AfBAA official observer status, making it the first association to be given such a seat. “For the first time, the association will have the tools at its fingertips to be able to influence the regulatory environment in 56 states,” he said. “We’ll have the opportunity to be in a forum where governmental decisions are made.”