Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called on
African countries to deepen cooperation in aviation and accelerate
implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
SAATM is an initiative aimed at creating one unified air
transport market across Africa to improve connectivity and drive economic
growth.
Mudavadi said Africa could not fully realise its economic
potential while air travel between neighbouring countries remained costly, slow
and dependent on transit points outside the continent.
SAATM was launched in January 2018 as part of the African
Union’s Agenda 2063.
The idea is to make it easier for African airlines to fly
between African countries by removing restrictive bilateral arrangements and opening
up routes.
Speaking on Wednesday during the 10th Aviation Africa Summit
and Exhibition at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi, Mudavadi said better air
connectivity was critical to Africa’s economic transformation and regional
integration.
“Aviation is not just a means of transportation. It is an
enabler of trade, tourism, investment, healthcare, education, humanitarian
assistance and cultural exchange,” he said.
“It connects people, markets and opportunities. For Africa,
a continent of immense geographical diversity and enormous economic potential,
aviation is a strategic necessity.”
The summit brought together policymakers, regulators,
aviation industry leaders, investors, innovators, development partners and
other professionals to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the
continent’s aviation sector.
Mudavadi noted that Africa still faced significant
challenges in achieving adequate intra-continental air connectivity.
“Many journeys between neighbouring African countries still
require transit through destinations outside our continent,” he said.
“This increases travel time, raises costs, limits trade and
constrains economic integration.”
He urged African states to use SAATM, a flagship initiative
under the African Union’s Agenda 2063, to address the challenge.
Mudavadi said implementation of the initiative could enable
airlines to expand their networks, promote competition, lower travel costs and
attract investment.
He also linked improved air connectivity to the African
Continental Free Trade Area, saying the movement of people and goods across
borders would be critical to deeper economic integration.
“I urge all 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,” he said.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary called for the removal of
unnecessary barriers that restrict air connectivity while maintaining high
standards of safety, security and consumer protection.
He also highlighted climate change as a major issue that
must shape the future of aviation.
Mudavadi said Kenya supported global efforts towards
sustainable aviation and encouraged investment in sustainable aviation fuels,
energy-efficient airport infrastructure, carbon reduction initiatives and
climate-resilient aviation systems.
He further called for greater adoption of emerging
technologies, including artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics,
digital air traffic management, biometrics, cybersecurity and automation.
