On 16 June, during the final session of day two of the African Air Transport Convention and Expo 2026, African Ministers and Heads of Delegation responsible for Transport, Tourism, Trade and Finance adopted the Lomé Ministerial Declaration and Implementation Matrix.
The Convention, currently underway, organised by the African Civil Aviation Commission, hosted in Lomé by the Government of the Republic of Togo, the SAATM Champion State, and held under the patronage of H.E. the President of the Council of the Republic of Togo, SAATM Champion President, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the AfCFTA Secretariat and AUDA-NEPAD.
The Declaration and Implementation Matrix set out a renewed continental commitment to accelerate implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
Through the Lomé Declaration, Ministers reaffirmed that air transport is a strategic enabler of continental integration, trade, tourism, investment, industrialisation, regional value chains and people-to-people connectivity. They emphasised the urgent need to move from political commitment to measurable implementation by addressing the barriers that continue to limit the full potential of African air transport.
The Declaration reaffirms the full and effective implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision and the Single African Air Transport Market as a priority continental agenda for African integration and development. Ministers committed to accelerating practical implementation of SAATM at national, regional and continental levels, including through the removal of restrictive market access barriers, liberalisation of air services, alignment of air services agreements with SAATM principles, and improved administrative predictability for airline designation, authorisation and route commencement.
Ministers also recognised the central role of the African Civil Aviation Commission as the Executing Agency of the Yamoussoukro Decision and SAATM, and as the African Union specialised agency for civil aviation. The Declaration calls for strengthened institutional capacity and sustainable financing to enable AFCAC to support Member States, coordinate implementation, monitor progress and advance Africa’s aviation priorities.
One of the major outcomes of the Lomé Declaration is the launch of the AFCAC Solidarity Commitment 2026–2028, a resource mobilisation initiative aimed at strengthening AFCAC’s capacity to implement its mandate, support Member States, accelerate SAATM implementation and advance continental aviation priorities.
The AFCAC Solidarity Commitment provides a practical mechanism for mobilising direct financial resourcing, technical assistance, in-kind support, capacity-building, tools, systems and project-based support in a transparent, accountable, auditable and results-oriented manner.
The Declaration further places strong emphasis on reducing the cost of air transport in Africa. Ministers recognised that high aviation taxes, fees and charges, together with administrative and operational bottlenecks, increase the cost of air travel and air freight, suppress demand, weaken route viability and limit the contribution of aviation to trade, tourism and economic growth. They endorsed the Continental Harmonised Policy Framework on Aviation Taxes, Charges and Fees as a guiding instrument for transparent, predictable, fair and growth-oriented approaches to aviation charges across Africa.
Ministers committed to promoting coordinated action by transport, finance, tourism, trade and aviation authorities to rationalise excessive taxes, fees and charges, improve transparency and consultation, and support measures that enhance affordability while ensuring the sustainability of essential aviation services.
In support of continental trade and integration, Ministers committed to promoting air cargo development, corridor-based route development and priority intra-African air cargo corridors aligned with AfCFTA value chains and regional economic priorities. The Declaration encourages stronger collaboration among airports, airlines, cargo operators, regulators, trade authorities, development partners and financial institutions to support sustainable route development, cargo infrastructure, market development, secondary city connectivity, data sharing and commercial partnerships.
The Declaration also calls for practical reforms to improve seamless mobility and air transport facilitation across Africa. Ministers committed to improving visa openness, passenger experience, cargo clearance, digital travel systems and border management in support of SAATM, AfCFTA and regional integration. These measures are expected to reduce passenger and cargo processing delays, strengthen route viability and support the wider movement of people and goods across the continent.
On aviation infrastructure and investment, Ministers recognised that modern, efficient, secure, climate-resilient and commercially viable aviation infrastructure is essential for the success of SAATM and Africa’s broader integration agenda. They called for the preparation, packaging and financing of bankable aviation infrastructure projects, including airports, air navigation systems, cargo facilities, digital systems, safety and security infrastructure and corridor-related investments.
The Declaration also advances Africa’s commitment to sustainable air transport and climate resilience. Ministers committed to supporting Africa’s participation in the development, production, financing and deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuels, Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels and other cleaner aviation energy solutions. The Declaration highlights the importance of enabling policy frameworks, feedstock development strategies, certification alignment, infrastructure planning, financing mechanisms, regional coordination pathways and bankable cleaner energy projects.
Recognising the importance of innovation, technology and human capital, Ministers committed to promoting digital transformation, operational modernisation, aviation data systems, technology adoption, innovation partnerships and capacity-building across Africa’s aviation sector. The Declaration also calls for priority attention to the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals, women and youth participation, technology transfer and stronger partnerships among training institutions, regulators, operators and industry.
The Ministers further reaffirmed that the growth and liberalisation of African air transport must be supported by strong safety, security, regulatory oversight, consumer protection, fair competition and harmonised economic regulation. They committed to strengthening safety and security oversight, regulatory cooperation, capacity-building, implementation of international standards and resilience against emerging threats.
To ensure follow-up and accountability, the Declaration requests AFCAC, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, AfCFTA Secretariat, AUDA-NEPAD, Regional Economic Communities, Member States and relevant partners, to coordinate follow-up on the Declaration. AFCAC is also requested to prepare a post-Lomé implementation roadmap identifying priority actions, responsible institutions, indicative timelines, resource requirements and reporting arrangements.
The Declaration further invites development finance institutions, international partners, industry associations, airlines, airports, air navigation service providers, private investors, training institutions and technology providers to support implementation. Ministers called for stronger coordination among continental institutions and partners to avoid fragmentation, improve programme alignment, mobilise resources and ensure that support is directed towards measurable implementation priorities.
The Ministers expressed their sincere appreciation to H.E. the President of the Council of the Republic of Togo, SAATM Champion President, as well as to the Government and people of the Republic of Togo, for hosting the African Air Transport Convention and Expo 2026 and for their continued leadership and commitment to advancing African aviation.
They also commended AFCAC, the African Union Commission, the AfCFTA Secretariat, AUDA-NEPAD, UNECA, Regional Economic Communities, development partners, industry stakeholders and all participating institutions for their contribution to the success of the Convention and Expo.
The adoption of the Lomé Ministerial Declaration represents a significant step towards a more integrated, competitive, affordable, safe, secure and sustainable African air transport market. It provides a practical platform for accelerating SAATM implementation, reducing the cost of air transport, expanding connectivity, strengthening aviation infrastructure, advancing sustainability and positioning African aviation as a driver of continental integration and economic transformation.
