Africa pushes for consolidated air market to boost connectivity

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called for the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) to boost air connectivity across Africa.

Mudavadi said poor intra-African connectivity continues to limit the growth of tourism, trade, healthcare, education and humanitarian services.

He said stronger air links were essential to Africa’s economic and social development, rather than serving only as a means of transport.

"Africa’s future depends on connectivity but intra-African air connectivity remains below our collective aspirations. Many journeys between neighbouring African countries still require transit through destinations outside our continent. This increases travel time, raises costs, limits trade and constrains economic integration,” said Mudavadi.

“For us to change this is by implementing Africa’s vision for a Single African Air Transport Market, which is one of the flagship initiatives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. A connected Africa will uplift the growth of the aviation sector, create jobs, accelerate industrialisation and unlock the full potential of our continent, which is home to nearly one-fifth of the world's population.”

Mudavadi was speaking on Wednesday during the 10th Africa Aviation Summit in Nairobi under the theme "Breaking The Mould: Finding solutions to the key challenges hindering Africa's Aviation Industry."

So far, 26 countries have signed Memoranda of Implementation and 21 states are actively participating in the implementation of the framework that currently supports a network spanning 124 routes, 113 airlines and over three million passengers, with connectivity reaching roughly 23 per cent across participating markets.

While 38 states have signed on in principle, only 12 of them have completed full regulatory alignment and operational open access.

Even though Africa currently has 18 per cent of the world's total population, it only accounts for about 2.2 per cent of global air passenger traffic, mainly due to high cost of aviation.

Mudavadi said Kenya reaffirms its strong commitment to the implementation of this initiative as it has a great potential of creating opportunities for airlines to expand networks, stimulate tourism, lower travel costs, promote competition and encourage investment as well as improve the movement of people and goods across African borders.

The State official urged African States to deepen collaboration in implementing SAATM through harmonised regulations, mutual recognition of standards, strengthened safety oversight, open skies, and coordinated investment in aviation infrastructure.

“African countries must continue removing unnecessary barriers that restrict connectivity while maintaining the highest standards of safety, security, and consumer protection,” he said.

Mudavadi also called for African countries to respond decisively to emerging global challenges, including climate change, adding that Kenya supports global efforts towards sustainable aviation and promotes environmentally responsible growth.

“We encourage investment in sustainable aviation fuels, energy-efficient airport infrastructure, carbon reduction initiatives and climate-resilient aviation systems,” he said.

He said sustainable aviation growth also requires innovative financing models and therefore governments, development finance institutions, private investors, airlines, manufacturers and international partners must work together to mobilise capital for infrastructure expansion and technological modernisation.

The government is currently working to modernise Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) with the aim of increasing its passenger and cargo handling capacity and has already approved Sh154.2 billion towards the project.

He said the future of African aviation cannot be built by governments alone but requires partnerships, trust, innovation and a shared commitment to one connected African sky.

 “Our resilience will depend on stronger regional cooperation, harmonised crisis response mechanisms, diversified business models and investments in technology and infrastructure,” he said.

State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development Principal Secretary Teresia Mbaika said the government’s ambition is to remain a leading hub in Africa and strengthen its ambition as a major air cargo hub.

“This ambition is anchored in the understanding that aviation is the enabler of the entire economy and we are committed to accept the challenge,” said Mbaika.

She added that the State has been working to create an enabling environment in which aviation can grow safely, efficiently, sustainably and competitively.

"This means supporting infrastructure development, strengthening connectivity, promoting investment, developing human capital, facilitating innovation and ensuring that our regulatory and policy environment remains responsive to the sector," she noted.

Secretary General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) Adefunke Adeyemi said there is need to address five critical pillars that African integration is dependent on.

The pillars include access, connectivity, affordability to fly, financial sustainability and building capacity to take African aviation forward.

“Success will not be measured by how many meetings we hold but by how many African cities are connected, how many routes are opened, flights become affordable, cargo moves, passengers are served, which projects are bankable and how many States move from commitment to implementation," she said.