Africa Urged to Implement Aviation Reforms Ahead of Kigali Integration Forum
Industry experts and policymakers are calling on African governments to move beyond policy frameworks and accelerate the practical implementation of aviation reforms, ahead of the Africa Mindset Reset Forum scheduled for 25 to 26 August in Kigali, Rwanda. The forum will bring together representatives from the AfCFTA Secretariat, the African Development Bank, the African Civil Aviation Commission, RwandAir, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) and other stakeholders under the theme "Accelerating African Economic Integration Through Open Skies." Despite the legal groundwork laid by the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and AfCFTA, air travel across the continent remains approximately 15% more expensive than the global average, according to IATA, with many routes still requiring passengers to transit through Europe or the Middle East.
Proposed reforms include time-bound incentives for new intra-African routes, coordinated connectivity corridors, harmonised border technology, dedicated night cargo operations and simplified e-visa processes. IATA estimates that opening markets among just 12 key African countries could create 155,000 jobs and generate $1.3 billion in annual GDP. However, a significant structural obstacle persists - AFRAA's Raphael Kuuchi warned that nearly $800 million in airline revenues remain blocked in approximately 14 African countries, preventing carriers from repatriating funds needed for aircraft leases, fuel and route expansion. Addressing these barriers, alongside improving intra-African connectivity, is seen as critical to unlocking the continent's tourism, trade and investment potential.
Source: The Star