Single African Air Transport Market Gains Momentum in Lomé

The African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) reports that the initiative has successfully established 124 routes, linking 113 airlines and serving over 3 million passengers. These figures represent a 23% increase in connectivity, a metric that underscores the practical impact of liberalizing African skies under the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Beyond simple air travel, the project acts as a macroeconomic pillar. Current projections estimate an annual GDP contribution exceeding $75 billion, bolstered by a significant rise in tourism, which reached 81 million travelers in 2025. According to AFCAC Secretary General Adefunke Adeyemi, the program is redefining how the continent trades and grows as a unified market.

To bridge the gap between policy and operational reality, industry leaders are gathering in Lomé, Togo, from June 15 to 19 for the 2026 African Air Transport Convention and Expo. The summit aims to harmonize regulatory frameworks and secure further investment, ensuring that the 26 states that have signed the Memorandum of Implementation can move toward a fully functional, single African sky.