- Female pilots remain a rarity, particularly in Africa. Globally, women make up only 6% of the pilot workforce. While these numbers are slowly improving, progress remains limited and uneven across the continent. The African Section Ninety-Nines is committed to changing this narrative by working closely with schools, career offices, and communities to inspire girls to view aviation as an achievable and rewarding career path.
- Through our Girls Wings For Africa (GWFA) initiative, the African Section delivers educational outreach aimed at strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) engagement among young people. By hosting educational sessions, visiting rural and underserved schools, and establishing STEM camps, we aim to ignite curiosity, confidence, and ambition in youth, particularly girls, while nurturing the next generation of African aviation professionals.
- Our approach includes deploying mentor pilots in each African country, who serve as role models and champions for STEM education. These mentors lead outreach activities, promote aviation careers, and provide guidance to young people, demonstrating that science and technology are not abstract concepts but are embedded in everyday life and future opportunities.
- Africa continues to face significant challenges in education. In many countries, limited access to resources such as electricity, educational equipment, and consistent school attendance hampers learning outcomes. In some regions, aviation is virtually non-existent, leaving young people unaware of the industry’s potential and the wide range of careers it offers.
- Cultural barriers further compound these challenges. Many girls, particularly in rural communities, still perceive aviation as a male-dominated field. The lack of visible female role models, coupled with biased learning materials and societal expectations, contributes to lower participation and performance by girls in STEM subjects as education levels increase.
- Financial barriers also remain a major obstacle. Pilot training is expensive, and many aspiring female pilots in Africa run out of funding during their training. Unlike Europe, the United States, and parts of Asia, where scholarships, bursaries, and airline cadet programmes are more readily available, support for women pursuing aviation careers in Africa is extremely limited.
- To address these gaps, the African Section promotes the advancement of women in aviation through education, scholarships, mentorship, and mutual support, while honouring our unique history and shared passion for flight. The Girls Wings For Africa Scholarship Fund & STEM Programme has been established to: Support women pursuing pilot licences and professional aviation qualifications, assist with licence renewals, type ratings, night and instrument ratings Provide scholarships for aviation and aerospace degrees at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels Support careers in aerospace engineering, air traffic control, aviation business management, and safety training.
- Aviation is a critical enabler of economic growth and essential services across Africa from aerial firefighting and medical evacuations to airport management and air traffic control. These careers are rooted in STEM, and the need for skilled, diverse talent has never been greater.
- By inspiring and empowering women and youth to engage in aviation and STEM-related fields, we are promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, and sustainable development. A collaborative and coordinated approach, supported by partners and sponsors is essential to bridge the skills gap and build the workforce Africa needs for a resilient and thriving aviation future.
“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.”
“Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world”
The African Section Ninety Nines success depends on your support. Your partnership in the education of Girls Wings For Africa Project – STEM & Scholarship for the youth will be an investment for the future generations in Africa on a whole. Your partnership, will help us in our effort of contributing to dreams coming true. The sky is the limit!