The Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), a flagship initiative of the African Union led by African Civil Aviation Commission, is continuing to strengthen aviation integration across the continent, with new figures highlighting growth in connectivity, passenger traffic and economic impact.
Established to create a more liberalised and competitive air transport market, SAATM aims to improve mobility across Africa while supporting trade, tourism and economic development.
Connectivity continues to expand
According to the latest figures, the initiative now supports a network of 124 routes served by 113 African airlines, connecting more destinations across the continent and helping improve access between regional markets.
More than three million passengers are currently travelling within the growing network, while overall connectivity has reached 23%, reflecting gradual progress towards a more integrated African aviation market.
The initiative is designed to remove barriers to air transport, allowing airlines greater opportunities to operate across borders and providing passengers with increased travel options.
Economic benefits gain momentum
SAATM is also being recognised as an important contributor to Africa’s broader economic development goals.
Current estimates indicate that aviation activity linked to the initiative supports more than 8.1 million jobs and contributes over $75 billion to economic output. Tourism demand remains a significant driver, with approximately 81 million tourism-related journeys recorded across Africa during 2025.
In addition, the programme is helping facilitate trade and investment by improving connectivity between key economic centres and supporting regional integration objectives under the African Union’s Agenda 2063 framework.
Political support for the initiative continues to grow. Thirty-eight African states have now joined SAATM, while 26 countries have signed Memoranda of Implementation and 21 states are participating in the SAATM Pilot Implementation Programme.
Adefunke Adeyemi said: “SAATM is not only transforming air connectivity, it is redefining how Africa moves, trades and grows together as one aviation market.”
AFCAC continues to work with member states, regulators, airlines and airports to harmonise regulations and advance the implementation of a unified African aviation market.
Further discussions on the future of aviation integration are expected during the African Air Transport Convention and Expo 2026, taking place this week in Lomé, Togo, where industry stakeholders will examine opportunities to accelerate the implementation of SAATM objectives across the continent.
