African leaders renew push for SAATM at Lome convention to boost continental air connectivity
African leaders including former Nigerian President Obasanjo, Togolese President Gnassingbe, Rwandan President Kagame, and AFCAC Secretary-General Adeyemi convened in Lome, Togo for the inaugural SAATM Convention to advocate for full implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market. The gathering emphasized SAATM as a catalyst for trade, tourism, investment and regional integration across Africa, building on the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision that initiated air transport liberalization.
For Nigeria, Africa's largest economy and most populous nation, successful SAATM implementation could significantly enhance air connectivity—potentially reducing travel costs, increasing flight options to other African nations, and stimulating business opportunities across the continent. Obasanjo specifically urged leaders to move beyond declarations to concrete actions that would unlock economic opportunities through a unified air transport system.
Adeyemi noted the convention aims to develop a shared roadmap aligned with AU Agenda 2063, creating a more competitive and modern air transport industry capable of realizing Africa's economic potential. While progress has been made over seven years, speakers acknowledged connectivity ambitions still lag behind citizens' and businesses' expectations.
Will faster, cheaper intra-African flights from Nigerian airports encourage you to explore business ventures or tourism opportunities in other African countries, or do you see persistent barriers that might limit these benefits?