As the African air transport sector continues to evolve, stakeholders are recognizing the need for a more strategic approach to demonstrate its value as an enabler of trade, tourism, and investment to policymakers.
The sector’s growth is crucial to Africa’s economic development, and experts are calling for a multidimensional, data-driven, and partnership-based approach to unlock its full potential.
Experts at a panel session during the AFI Aviation week in Zimbabwe, say, to achieve this, the air transport sector must link aviation directly to continental goals, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and demonstrate how improved air connectivity can reduce transport time and costs, enhancing intra-African trade.
This can be done by ensuring aviation policy is reflected in national development plans and sectoral strategies, such as tourism, logistics, and manufacturing.
Policymakers and stakeholders are also advocating for policy reforms with tangible benefits, including the full implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), reduction in aviation taxes and charges, and harmonized visa regimes.
Investment in airport and air navigation infrastructure is also critical to support the growth of the sector.
According to them, collaboration among States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), airlines, and the African Union Commission (AUC) is essential to accelerate air connectivity improvements.
This can be achieved by enhancing the role of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) as the SAATM executing agency, supporting sub-regional aviation cooperation initiatives, and promoting airline partnerships.
Looking ahead to 2030, the top three priorities that must be addressed to make African air transport a true driver of sustainable economic development are, they listed include, market liberalization, infrastructure modernization, and human capital development.
The panelists emphasized the full implementation of SAATM is critical to liberalizing air services across Africa, while investment in aviation infrastructure and technology will modernize airports, air navigation services, and safety/security systems.
Developing human capital and regulatory oversight, they noted is crucial for safety, service quality, and innovation in aviation,
This can be achieved by investing in aviation training institutions, harmonizing licensing standards, and strengthening Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs).
By aligning aviation with broader continental goals and addressing these priorities, the Panelists pointed out that, African stakeholders can create a truly integrated airspace that fuels economic growth, tourism, and intra-African trade, ultimately driving sustainable economic development across the continent.
