Keyamo Advocates for Single African Air Transport Market to Enhance Connectivity and Reduce Airfares

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has called for the swift implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) to bolster regional integration and lower air travel costs across the continent.

Speaking at the 18th Plenary Session of the Banjul Accord Group (BAG) in Abuja, Keyamo emphasized that despite strong political will and numerous declarations, progress on SAATM has been slow, with fragmentation remaining a barrier to regional integration. He urged member states to move beyond verbal commitments and take coordinated, deliberate steps to bring the initiative to life.

The SAATM, launched in 2018, is a flagship project of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, aiming to create a single unified air transport market in Africa. Its implementation is expected to enhance intra-African connections, making the movement of passengers and cargo smoother with minimal transit points at competitive prices. Keyamo highlighted that air connectivity is an asset that improves the global competitiveness of cities, states, and regions, and thus, Africa cannot afford to be left behind.

The minister also pointed out that achieving the benefits of SAATM requires collective resolve not only to implement the agreement but also to address non-physical barriers, including the high cost of travel within the region. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the ideals of the BAG and the realization of a unified air transport sector in West Africa and beyond.

The plenary session, hosted by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), witnessed participation from the seven BAG member countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Guinea Conakry, Gambia, Cape Verde, and Sierra Leone. The meeting focused on the urgent need to implement SAATM to reduce the high cost of travel and increase connectivity across the continent.

The SAATM is built upon the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision, which established a framework for the liberalization of air transport services between African countries. Full implementation of SAATM would grant airlines based in member states greater freedoms in each other’s airspaces, eliminate restrictions on ownership, and remove capacity and frequency limits on routes between signatory states.

By advocating for the accelerated implementation of SAATM, Keyamo aims to unlock the immense potential of air connectivity across Africa, fostering economic growth, and enhancing the continent’s integration into the global aviation sector.