AMENA Aviation
The AMENA Aviation Board brings together leading and seasoned sector professionals in Africa’s aviation industry. The purpose of this Board is to address unique challenges within this industry that are born of dated operational and managerial strategies, with homegrown solutions. The Board is a consolidated effort to support players interested in, or operating within the African aviation industry to optimise their operations.
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Advisory Board
The AMENA Aviation advisory board was appointed in January 2021. Members of the board were handpicked based on their merit, experience and knowledge of the industry and its particular African characteristics.
Contact us at aviation@amena-africa.com for more information.
Prof. Dr. Eyden Samunderu
Managing Partner
The service offerings of AMENA Aviation are built around Eyden, a seasoned leading expert and most trusted senior strategic advisor in the aviation sector.
He is a dynamic self-starter with strong strategic and business planning skills. His first class leadership, mentor and managerial skills are capsuled by a strong business analytical acumen and commercial awarness of the African aviation market.
Omoh Anna Ohiomoba
Advisory Board Member
Omoh has 15 years of business operations experience working in Africa, Europe and North America. She has experience in airport operations and management focusing on strategic planning to deliver revenue growth and support major capital investments. While working as a manager with Airports Council International (Africa Region) she supported economic and market research, airport training, marketing, business development and government relations leading to growth and development in the African aviation industry.
Simon Peter Njoroge
Advisory Board Member
Simon Peter currently serves as the Airport Operations Manager at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, Kenya. He has extensive experience in multiple cultures with more than 20 years of industry experience in Africa and Europe. He holds an MBA from Strathmore Business School.
Winnet Muchanyuka
Advisory Board Member
Winnet is a seasoned airline executive with 30 years of experience working in the commercial & airport operations space. She has extensive experience in commercial activities. Her experience has also exposed her to advocacy and stakeholder relations with public and private sector bodies.
She also sits on the IATA Local Carrier Advisory Group, Board of Airline Representatives and Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe.
Dr. Timo Wiggemann
Advisory Board Member
Timo is an internationally recognised business leader with an extensive track record and experience working with clients having a challenging starting point. He is specialised in manufacturing, automotive, heavy machinery & equipment, pharmaceuticals and clean energy. His profound business acumen, financial insights, and extensive international experiences (Europe, U.S., Asia, China, India) combined with his cultural background in the Western and Asian economies allows him to show outstanding delivery performance in serving clients globally.
Senior Consultants
Dr. Joachim Vermooten
Senior Consultant
Joachim is an experienced senior international aviation consultant, qualified as a chartered accountant CA (SA) registered auditor (IRBA), transport economist (specializing in aviation) and aviation researcher, which follows on a successful career as managing director and chief executive. He has a broad range of industry exposure including electricity, airlines, financial services (assurance), manufacturing, engineering and steel production. Joachim is a former university lecturer in aviation, taxation and financial management.
Emmy Arsonval Maniriho
Senior Consultant
Emmy currently serves as an advisor to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Rwanda and has worked as Air Transport Intern in ICAO Air Transport Bureau (ATB) in its Economic Regulatory Framework Section (ERF) and worked closely with Aviation Data and Analysis Section (ADA). He has published several books regarding Aviation engineering, Human factors in Aviation, Airport planning and Air Traffic Control. He thus has broad knowledge and experience in international air transport, management, tourism and hospitality industry. In addition, he trains and educates aviation aspirants and public servants in Strategic Management.
Janet Cloete
Senior Consultant
''Because airlines play a pivotal role in economies through trade and commerce, aviation is crucial to Africa's economic recovery, being part of a team that can contribute towards this vision of a sustainable, world-class African aviation sector is my passion.''
John van Hoogstraaten
Senior Consultant
John has over 30 years of Air Traffic Management (ATM) experience across the full spectrum of operations, management, safety and regulatory compliance. He is an experienced aviation consultant specialising in aviation support to airports, airport developers and air navigation service providers to help achieve regulatory compliance and implementation of future systems. Change Management is in line with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), national aviation regulatory requirements and international best practice. In addition to his ATM experience, John brings a wealth of knowledge in emergency planning through his accreditation with the Business Continuity Institute and the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management.
Yvonne Murahwa
Senior Consultant
Yvonne is a highly analytical and results-driven financial markets specialist, boasting an impressive track record of over 18 years in Central Banking, Private Equity, and Corporate & Investment Banking. Her expertise spans a wide range of critical financial disciplines, firmly establishing her as a distinguished professional in the field.
With a keen eye for detail and a penchant for excellence, Yvonne possesses exceptional skills in Financial Modeling and Analysis, Money and Capital Markets, Due Diligence, Valuation, Research, Project Finance, and Investment Structuring. Her proficiency in these areas underscores her ability to navigate complex financial landscapes and deliver comprehensive, data-driven insights and solutions.
Anita Yordanova
Analyst
Anita is a dynamic and collaborative problem solver with experience in accounting and law. Her experience has provided opportunities to develop into a highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated individual.
Anita took up a Master of Business Administration in International Business, a Master of Law, and a Bachelor's degree in International Economic Relations.
Her passion for international business and economics is what drives Anita to dive into the opportunities on the African continent. Africa is the fastest growing continent, which has unlocked opportunities for international business and economics. Africa could grab your sight and charm your heart.
Dr. Barry Humphreys CBE
Senior Consultant
Barry is a distinguished aviation expert whose illustrious career has left an indelible mark on the industry. With a Ph.D. in Air Transport Economics, he began his journey at the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in 1973 and later served British Caledonian Airways before returning to the CAA as Head of Air Services Policy. In 1995, Barry joined Virgin Atlantic Airways, where he played a pivotal role in various aspects of aviation, from policy and regulation to route development and environmental concerns. His expertise extends to finance, law, and security, and he has shared his knowledge through academic contributions, including a book on economic regulation in the air transport industry. Today, he continues to shape the industry's future as the Chairman of Hans Airways.
Dr. Bedan Thendu
Senior Consultant
Bedan is an aviation strategist who has served African States successfully in the implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, the operation of air transportation, and the delivery of training. A multi-accredited trainer with ICAO and IATA, he was previously the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority's Chief Lecturer in Air Traffic Management.
Bedan possesses a solid educational background in air traffic control, safety management, quality auditing, strategic management, and project management, as well as being a certified ATM inspector. His qualifications include all five Air Traffic Control ratings, the experience of overseeing air traffic control operations at multiple domestic and international airports.
Sambulo Matema
Senior Consultant
Sambulo is a distinguished aerospace engineer with a profound understanding of the African aviation sector. As a lead expert in his field, Sambulo brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the aerospace industry.
His key areas of specialization encompass maintenance planning and modeling, network planning and optimization, and the application of Knowledge-Based Engineering techniques to automate and integrate maintenance and operational data systems.
With a strong commitment to advancing aviation in Africa, Sambulo continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the industry's future. His dedication to excellence and innovation is evident in his contributions to the field, making him a prominent figure in African aviation.
Gavin Eccles
Senior Consultant
With over 30 years of experience in aviation, airports, and tourism development, Gavin has worked globally to establish connections between aviation and tourism development. He has been affiliated with various airlines, airports, and tourism boards. Previous roles include positions at British Airways and consultancy projects for United Airlines, American Airlines, Qantas, and support for the development of low-cost airlines like Ryanair and easyJet to tourist destinations. Gavin has served on the board of SATA International, a European airline, as CCO, and advised the Board of Visit Portugal on air services development. As a Professor, Gavin consistently contributes white papers, articles, and book chapters focusing on a new vision for the sector.