The East African Community (EAC) Seventh Development Strategy 2026/27–2030/31 outlines a coordinated approach to civil aviation development, positioning the sector as a key enabler of regional connectivity, economic growth and trade facilitation.
Looking ahead, the Strategy prioritises the full implementation of the EAC Upper Airspace Management Strategy and the liberalisation of air transport services to enhance regional aviation. These efforts sit alongside broader regional objectives, including multimodal transport integration, expansion of one-stop border posts, and digitalisation of trade and customs procedures.
Civil aviation in the EAC is developing through regional cooperation and institutional frameworks established under the EAC Treaty, which provides for collaboration across the entire aviation ecosystem. This includes air navigation services, airport infrastructure, airlines, air traffic management and related subsectors. The region continues to record steady growth in aircraft movements, passenger traffic and cargo volumes, contributing to both economic growth and social development.
Key regional initiatives include the adoption of common policies, harmonisation of air transport regulations, establishment of aviation centres of excellence, and progressive liberalisation of air transport. Additional measures include the creation of a single block of upper airspace over EAC Partner States and the operationalisation of the East African Multilateral Agreement on Aircraft Accident Investigation, Search and Rescue.
Passenger traffic across the region has continued to recover following the COVID-19 downturn, with volumes estimated to have rebounded to over 85% of pre-pandemic levels by 2023. Cargo traffic has also increased, particularly in Kenya and Rwanda, with Entebbe and Kigali emerging as transit points for high-value and time-sensitive goods.
Despite these gains, the cost of air travel in the region remains among the highest in Africa. This is attributed to restrictive bilateral air service agreements, high taxes and fees, and limited competition. While progress has been made towards a liberalised EAC airspace, including increased flight frequencies, improved route management and reduced duplication in safety oversight, implementation remains partial.
Further progress has been recorded in the digitalisation of air traffic management systems, cross-border cooperation in search and rescue operations, and the integration of environmental sustainability into aviation planning, aligned with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation.
The Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency plays a central role in ensuring regulatory compliance with international standards and recommended practices. Capacity building across Partner States continues to support aviation safety and operational effectiveness.
However, several constraints persist. These include high operating costs, inconsistent regulatory enforcement, limited implementation of open skies policies, and infrastructure disparities between major and secondary airports. Budgetary constraints and shortages of specialised personnel, particularly in accident investigation, also remain key challenges.
To address these issues, the EAC has initiated a range of regional interventions. These include strengthening the mandate and resourcing of the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency, harmonising civil aviation regulations and technical guidance materials, and advancing implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision and the Single African Air Transport Market. Additional measures include joint provision of air navigation services, regional training programmes for aviation professionals, and the development of aviation infrastructure master plans.
The Strategy identifies continued focus areas, including full operationalisation of a liberalised regional air transport market, reduction of air travel costs through rationalisation of taxes and charges, modernisation of airport infrastructure particularly in secondary cities, promotion of environmentally sustainable aviation, and digital transformation of aviation services such as smart ticketing, cargo tracking and air traffic management systems.
Under the Strategy, civil aviation is recognised as essential to regional and global connectivity, supporting business, tourism, trade and societal well-being. Priorities include airport modernisation and expansion, alignment with international aviation standards, and strengthening aviation safety and security frameworks.
The Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency is mandated to coordinate safety and security oversight across Partner States, ensure compliance with international standards, and support the development of a safe, secure and efficient aviation system. The Agency has updated harmonised civil aviation regulations and technical guidance materials to align with international standards, coordinated regional training programmes, facilitated the sharing of technical expertise, and supported Partner States in preparing for international safety and security audits.
Over the past five years, challenges affecting the Agency have included budget constraints, shortages of specialised aviation experts, limited capacity in some Partner States to meet international standards, delays in implementing harmonised technical guidance materials, and difficulties in attracting and retaining qualified personnel.
The Strategy sets a sector priority of developing safe, secure, efficient and competitive civil aviation systems by 2031. Strategic interventions include liberalisation of air transport in line with the Yamoussoukro Decision, implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market, establishment of a seamless EAC Upper Flight Information Region, expansion and modernisation of air navigation and airport infrastructure, expansion of regional tourist airport connections, harmonisation and domestication of aviation policies, and establishment of aviation centres of excellence.
Key targets include full liberalisation of air transport by 2026/27, full implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market by 2028/29, establishment of seamless upper airspace operations by 2029/30, and expansion and modernisation of eight major regional airports and eight tourist airport connections within the plan period. The operationalisation of the Multilateral Agreement on Aircraft Accident Investigation is also targeted by 2026/27.
A further sector priority focuses on strengthening corporate governance and operational efficiency in civil aviation. Strategic interventions include implementation of a risk-based oversight framework, development of qualified personnel, support for compliance with international standards, operationalisation of a Centre for Aviation Medicine, establishment of secondment programmes, adoption of technological advancements, and development of aviation cyber security functions.
Targets under this priority include all Partner States achieving above global average scores in safety and security audits by 2030/31, delegation of at least three functions to the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency by all Partner States, and the establishment of a regional aviation cyber security coordination mechanism with aligned policies in at least six Partner States by 2028/29.
Get the East African Community (EAC) Seventh Development Strategy 2026/27–2030/31 here:
