Bell Highlights Africa’s Strategic Importance
Bell recently hosted its 2024 Law Enforcement Symposium’ in Gaborone, Botswana, bringing together law enforcement operators from across southern Africa. The two-day event highlighted Bell’s ongoing commitment to supporting public safety and strengthening relationships with operators in the region, with a focus on safety practices and operational efficiency.
This symposium is part of Bell’s broader commitment to the African market, which continues to grow in strategic importance for the company. With more than 65 active public safety helicopters in Africa, Bell recognises the increasing demand for versatile, reliable aircraft to support law enforcement, humanitarian missions, and economic development.
As African governments and industries continue to invest in aviation technology, Bell aims to deliver tailored solutions that address local needs while supporting the continent’s growth. The event in Botswana reaffirmed Bell’s dedication to its African partners, emphasising safety, partnership, and innovation as the cornerstones of its engagement within the region.
Major Moseki Rampala | 21 Squadron Senior Engineering Officer | Botswana Defence Force, pictured with Bell team
An interactive roundtable discussion was welcomed by participants, allowing them to share their unique challenges and lessons learned in airborne policing and cross-pollination of best practices globally and within Africa.
Bell’s Regional Sales Manager, Lynette Loosen, and Bell’s independent representative from National Airways Corporation, Gary Phillips, delivered key presentations on operational insights and the latest innovations in helicopter technology for public safety. Terry Miyauchi, Bell’s Public Safety Manager, highlighted the importance of “Safety Through Teamwork”. Bell’s invited Keynote Speaker, Dan Millon, from San Diego, California, shared his experience and insight on “The Aviation Mindset”. Representatives from Safran Helicopter Engines and Pratt & Whitney Canada also addressed delegates.
“The Bell Symposium was a valuable event to attend. Our members got to participate in the round table discussion, covering all aspects, from Normal Operating Procedures to Training and Crew Resource Management. Such discussions help foster a culture of
“Aviation Safety will inevitably assist any agency to increase its productivity and save lives while maintaining a healthy working environment. It is also worth noting that the platform created by the Symposium organisers allowed the participants to engage industry experts in a semi-formal environment. This allowed for probing questions, open-minded solutions and best practices to be shared among the representatives of the different agencies. We would encourage other law enforcement agencies and partners in the SADC region to take part in the next or similar event. ” Colonel Siba Tyu | Sub-Section Commander: Helicopters | Visible Policing and Operations | South African Police Service Air Wing
Bell’s Customer Service Engineers, Lukas von Benecke, based in South Africa and Hans Arnold, based in Namibia, were also available during the Law Enforcement Symposium for any technical and aftermarket support discussions specific to operators in the region.
The event was one of a series of symposiums hosted by Bell, which provided a valuable opportunity for the various stakeholders in essential industries, such as law enforcement, to come together. In turn, these events help Bell to innovate and deliver platforms and systems that meet and exceed its customers’ expectations.
