DRPAM007
I agree with your assesment.
Can the system be improved by harmonising all regulations in the AFI region and have common licensing standards?
Can the region better harness synergy by aligning their civil aviation policies with a common objective?
Yes.
The problem is in the implimentation. You would have to get 'buy in' from the governments of all 54 countries, all of varying levels of (in)competance and socio economic developement.
Assuming that ultimately there were competant governments in place (mabey in another 30 years time when the whole Afro-socialist experiment has failed and imploded on itself), the cost implications would be huge.
It would be very hard for a democratic government to justify billions of $$$ for aviation developement when most of the people in the region still dont have access to running water, health care and electricity.
Untill such time we would have to stick with the staus quo and look forward to minor safety gains of individual country's. Baby steps first....
Max