Africa Commits to Accelerating Single African Air Transport Market

African Ministers of Transport and Civil Aviation, along with Directors General of Civil Aviation Authorities from African Union (AU) member states, have reaffirmed their collective commitment to fast-tracking the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) during the Africa Aviation Summit in Kigali.

Convened under the auspices of the African Union and the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), the communique emphasized SAATM as a flagship Agenda 2063 project and a critical driver of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), regional integration, and socio-economic transformation.

Unlocking Africa’s Aviation Potential

Since its launch in 2018, SAATM has gained significant traction, with 38 African states committed, 108 new intra-African routes opened, and the expansion of fifth freedom traffic rights in 19 markets. The operationalization of the Dispute Settlement Mechanism has also provided a structured avenue for resolving conflicts and ensuring fair competition.

However, persistent barriers such as incomplete regulatory domestication, infrastructure deficits, excessive taxes, and unjustified market restrictions continue to limit the full potential of Africa’s liberalized skies.

Commitments and Actions Agreed in Kigali

At the Kigali Summit, African leaders outlined a bold set of actions to accelerate SAATM’s full implementation:

1. Domestication of Yamoussoukro Decision and SAATM provisions into national laws and Air Services Agreements.

2. Removal of unjustified traffic restrictions, ensuring fair competition and consumer protection through the Dispute Settlement Mechanism.

3. Regional domestication of the air transport market to strengthen connectivity across Africa.

4. Adoption of a harmonized continental framework to cut excessive taxes, fees, and charges.

5. Mobilizing investment in aviation infrastructure, hubs, and connectivity through public–private partnerships and development finance institutions.

6. Strengthening AFCAC’s institutional capacity with sustainable financing and political support.

7. Endorsing SAATM as the African Union Theme of the Year 2027, elevating it to the highest political agenda.

8. Appointment of Regional SAATM Champions at Heads of State level to drive advocacy and coordination.

9. Engaging with non-implementing states to ensure universal participation in Africa’s open skies vision.

A Rallying Call for a Unified African Sky

The Kigali Communique serves as a rallying call for AU member states, regional economic communities, airlines, airports, and development partners to collectively advance SAATM. Leaders stressed that achieving a seamless, competitive, and unified African airspace is not just an aviation priority, but a continental economic imperative that will boost mobility, trade, tourism, and job creation for millions of Africans.