A plane taking off
Africa is under renewed pressure to move beyond years of
declarations on aviation liberalization and implement an open skies policy.
This, experts say could significantly lower the cost of air
travel, boost trade and accelerate the continent’s economic integration.
According to them, Africa has already laid the legal and
policy foundation for a single aviation market, but slow implementation is
denying businesses, tourists and investors the benefits of seamless air
connectivity.
The call comes weeks ahead of the Africa Mindset Reset Forum
scheduled for August 25-26 in Kigali, Rwanda.
The forum brings together policymakers, regulators, airlines
and development institutions will meet under the theme “Accelerating
African Economic Integration Through Open Skies.”
Participants will include representatives from the AfCFTA
Secretariat, the African School of Governance, the African Development Bank,
the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), RwandAir, the African Airlines
Association (AFRAA) and leaders from Africa’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The message from industry players is clear: Africa’s skies
should become the fastest route for trade, tourism and talent rather than one
of the continent’s biggest barriers to growth.
Despite the rapid expansion of trade under AfCFTA,
travelling between many African cities remains expensive, time-consuming and
often requires passengers to transit through Europe or the Middle East because
of limited direct flights.
According to the International Air Transport Association
(IATA), taxes and infrastructure charges make air travel in Africa about 15 per
cent more expensive than the global average, discouraging demand and limiting
the continent’s competitiveness.
Rather than relying on high ticket taxes to raise revenue,
stakeholders are urging governments to stimulate demand through lower costs,
arguing that increased passenger traffic, tourism and cargo volumes would
ultimately generate higher economic returns.
They propose time-bound incentives for new intra-African
routes, transparent service agreements between airports and airlines, and
public disclosure of taxes and charges on every route to encourage competition
and improve affordability.
The reforms would also include coordinated
“connectivity corridors” linking selected African cities, where
governments harmonise airport slots, security procedures and border technology
while reinvesting part of aviation levies into navigation systems, digital
border controls and airport infrastructure.
Industry experts argue that aviation reforms must extend
beyond passenger travel.
Dedicated night cargo operations, predictable freight
charges and bonded “green lanes” could transform Africa’s
fast-growing e-commerce sector while enabling agricultural exporters and
pharmaceutical manufacturers to move goods across the continent more
efficiently.
Simplifying visa processes through e-visas and smarter
border management would further reduce travel friction, improve aircraft
occupancy and widen governments’ tax base through increased economic activity.
The push for implementation also aligns with the Single
African Air Transport Market (SAATM), the African Union’s flagship aviation
initiative under Agenda 2063, designed to liberalise air transport across the
continent.
IATA estimates that opening markets among just 12 key
African countries could create 155,000 additional jobs and generate $1.3
billion in annual GDP, highlighting the significant economic gains from
improved connectivity.
Beyond tourism, aviation has become an increasingly
important economic pillar.
IATA estimates the sector currently contributes about $75
billion to Africa’s GDP and supports more than 8 million jobs, with passenger
demand expected to grow by about 4.1 per cent annually over the next two decades,
making Africa one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets.
However, the industry continues to face structural
challenges that threaten its growth.
Rwanda’s Minister for Trade and Industry, Antoine Kajangwe,
said AfCFTA can only achieve its full potential if African businesses are
connected through affordable and reliable air transport.
“We must work towards affordable, frequent and reliable
air connectivity that allows a manufacturer in Kigali to ship cargo across
Africa without excessive costs, unnecessary delays or complicated routes,”
he said.
Tsotetsi Makong of the AfCFTA Secretariat said continental
agreements alone would not transform African economies unless governments fully
implement them.
“Those rules must be domesticated, brought to life and
translated into practical benefits for African people and businesses,” he
said.
Airline executives also highlighted financial obstacles that
continue to undermine connectivity.
Raphael Kuuchi of the African Airlines Association said
nearly $800 million (Sh103.2 billion) in airline revenues remain trapped in
about 14 African countries, preventing carriers from repatriating earnings
needed to finance aircraft leases, fuel purchases and route expansion.
He warned that airlines cannot sustainably maintain services
when revenues earned in one country are used to subsidise operations elsewhere.
IATA has repeatedly cautioned that blocked airline funds
force carriers to reduce flight frequencies, suspend routes or raise fares,
ultimately weakening tourism, trade and investment.
The association estimates Africa accounts for the majority
of airline revenues trapped globally due to foreign exchange restrictions and
regulatory barriers.
