At the inaugural African Air Transport Convention and Expo in Lomé, Togo, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda joined other African leaders in a strong call for the immediate and full implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), describing it as a critical driver for unlocking Africa’s vast tourism potential.
The high-level gathering brought together policymakers, aviation stakeholders, and industry experts under a shared vision of creating a seamless and liberalised air transport system across the continent. Leaders stressed that harmonised aviation regulations, reduced travel restrictions, and improved air connectivity are essential to making Africa more accessible to global and intra-African travellers.
President Kagame and other officials underscored that fragmented air routes and restrictive bilateral agreements continue to limit tourist flows and inflate travel costs, thereby slowing the growth of Africa’s multi-billion-dollar tourism industry. They argued that a fully implemented SAATM would not only enhance mobility but also stimulate investment in tourism infrastructure, hospitality, and regional cultural exchange.
The convention reaffirmed that aviation is a strategic enabler of economic integration, with tourism positioned as one of its biggest beneficiaries. Leaders concluded that unlocking a unified African skies policy would significantly boost destination competitiveness and position Africa as a single, attractive tourism market on the global stage.
