Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called on African countries to deepen cooperation in aviation and accelerate implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
SAATM is an initiative aimed at creating one unified air transport market across Africa to improve connectivity and drive economic growth.
Mudavadi said Africa could not fully realise its economic potential while air travel between neighbouring countries remained costly, slow and dependent on transit points outside the continent.
SAATM was launched in January 2018 as part of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The idea is to make it easier for African airlines to fly between African countries by removing restrictive bilateral arrangements and opening up routes.
Speaking on Wednesday during the 10th Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi, Mudavadi said better air connectivity was critical to Africa’s economic transformation and regional integration.
“Aviation is not just a means of transportation. It is an enabler of trade, tourism, investment, healthcare, education, humanitarian assistance and cultural exchange,” he said.
“It connects people, markets and opportunities. For Africa, a continent of immense geographical diversity and enormous economic potential, aviation is a strategic necessity.”
The summit brought together policymakers, regulators, aviation industry leaders, investors, innovators, development partners and other professionals to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the continent’s aviation sector.
Mudavadi noted that Africa still faced significant challenges in achieving adequate intra-continental air connectivity.
“Many journeys between neighbouring African countries still require transit through destinations outside our continent,” he said.
“This increases travel time, raises costs, limits trade and constrains economic integration.”
He urged African states to use SAATM, a flagship initiative under the African Union’s Agenda 2063, to address the challenge.
Mudavadi said implementation of the initiative could enable airlines to expand their networks, promote competition, lower travel costs and attract investment.
He also linked improved air connectivity to the African Continental Free Trade Area, saying the movement of people and goods across borders would be critical to deeper economic integration.
“I urge all African States to deepen collaboration in implementing SAATM through harmonised regulations, mutual recognition of standards, strengthened safety oversight, open skies, and coordinated investment in aviation infrastructure,” he said.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary called for the removal of unnecessary barriers that restrict air connectivity while maintaining high standards of safety, security and consumer protection.
He also highlighted climate change as a major issue that must shape the future of aviation.
Mudavadi said Kenya supported global efforts towards sustainable aviation and encouraged investment in sustainable aviation fuels, energy-efficient airport infrastructure, carbon reduction initiatives and climate-resilient aviation systems.
He further called for greater adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, digital air traffic management, biometrics, cybersecurity and automation.
