A plane taking offThis, experts say could significantly lower the cost of air travel, boost trade and accelerate the continent's economic integration.
According to them, Africa has already laid the legal and policy foundation for a single aviation market, but slow implementation is denying businesses, tourists and investors the benefits of seamless air connectivity.
The call comes weeks ahead of the Africa Mindset Reset Forum scheduled for August 25-26 in Kigali, Rwanda.
The forum brings together policymakers, regulators, airlines and development institutions will meet under the theme "Accelerating African Economic Integration Through Open Skies."
Participants will include representatives from the AfCFTA Secretariat, the African School of Governance, the African Development Bank, the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), RwandAir, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) and leaders from Africa's entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The message from industry players is clear: Africa's skies should become the fastest route for trade, tourism and talent rather than one of the continent's biggest barriers to growth.
Despite the rapid expansion of trade under AfCFTA, travelling between many African cities remains expensive, time-consuming and often requires passengers to transit through Europe or the Middle East because of limited direct flights.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), taxes and infrastructure charges make air travel in Africa about 15 per cent more expensive than the global average, discouraging demand and limiting the continent's competitiveness.
Rather than relying on high ticket taxes to raise revenue, stakeholders are urging governments to stimulate demand through lower costs, arguing that increased passenger traffic, tourism and cargo volumes would ultimately generate higher economic returns.
They propose time-bound incentives for new intra-African routes, transparent service agreements between airports and airlines, and public disclosure of taxes and charges on every route to encourage competition and improve affordability.
The reforms would also include coordinated "connectivity corridors" linking selected African cities, where governments harmonise airport slots, security procedures and border technology while reinvesting part of aviation levies into navigation systems, digital border controls and airport infrastructure.
Industry experts argue that aviation reforms must extend beyond passenger travel.
Dedicated night cargo operations, predictable freight charges and bonded "green lanes" could transform Africa's fast-growing e-commerce sector while enabling agricultural exporters and pharmaceutical manufacturers to move goods across the continent more efficiently.
Simplifying visa processes through e-visas and smarter border management would further reduce travel friction, improve aircraft occupancy and widen governments' tax base through increased economic activity.
The push for implementation also aligns with the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), the African Union's flagship aviation initiative under Agenda 2063, designed to liberalise air transport across the continent.
IATA estimates that opening markets among just 12 key African countries could create 155,000 additional jobs and generate $1.3 billion in annual GDP, highlighting the significant economic gains from improved connectivity.
Beyond tourism, aviation has become an increasingly important economic pillar.
IATA estimates the sector currently contributes about $75 billion to Africa's GDP and supports more than 8 million jobs, with passenger demand expected to grow by about 4.1 per cent annually over the next two decades, making Africa one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets.
However, the industry continues to face structural challenges that threaten its growth.
Rwanda's Minister for Trade and Industry, Antoine Kajangwe, said AfCFTA can only achieve its full potential if African businesses are connected through affordable and reliable air transport.
"We must work towards affordable, frequent and reliable air connectivity that allows a manufacturer in Kigali to ship cargo across Africa without excessive costs, unnecessary delays or complicated routes," he said.
Tsotetsi Makong of the AfCFTA Secretariat said continental agreements alone would not transform African economies unless governments fully implement them.
"Those rules must be domesticated, brought to life and translated into practical benefits for African people and businesses," he said.
Airline executives also highlighted financial obstacles that continue to undermine connectivity.
Raphael Kuuchi of the African Airlines Association said nearly $800 million (Sh103.2 billion) in airline revenues remain trapped in about 14 African countries, preventing carriers from repatriating earnings needed to finance aircraft leases, fuel purchases and route expansion.
He warned that airlines cannot sustainably maintain services when revenues earned in one country are used to subsidise operations elsewhere.
IATA has repeatedly cautioned that blocked airline funds force carriers to reduce flight frequencies, suspend routes or raise fares, ultimately weakening tourism, trade and investment.
The association estimates Africa accounts for the majority of airline revenues trapped globally due to foreign exchange restrictions and regulatory barriers.
