The African Union Commission and the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) convened Member States, aviation partners and development finance institutions in Kigali, Rwanda, from 14 to 17 September 2026 to advance the infrastructure needed to make the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) work in practice.
Participants agreed on a common process to move priority projects from initial definition and readiness assessment through feasibility, preparation and financing. The discussions highlighted Africa's need for interoperable airspace, modern aviation systems and a stronger pipeline of projects capable of attracting investment.
Eric Ntagengerwa, Head of Transport and Mobility at the African Union Commission, said the success of SAATM would depend on whether infrastructure and airspace systems enabled aircraft, passengers and cargo to move seamlessly across the continent, and that shared priorities now had to be turned into well-prepared projects that could attract investment and deliver results.
The next phase will focus on establishing a Post-Kigali Project Acceleration Platform and launching a 90-day readiness assessment process. The work is intended to clarify project ownership, preparation needs and potential financing pathways, with the aim of advancing at least five priority projects towards bankability within 12 to 24 months.
The organisers present the outcomes of the meeting as a foundation for turning continental commitments into connected routes, more seamless services and stronger regional integration, as preparations continue for 2027, the Year of the Single African Air Transport Market and New Technologies.
