African Pilot Magazine Editor Phillippa Dean speaks with Prof. Dr. Eyden Samunderu, Senior Air Transport Advisor to the African Civil Aviation Commission, during the inaugural African Air Transport Convention & Expo 2026 in Lomé, Togo.
Prof. Dr. Samunderu discusses the work required to accelerate the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market and establish a more integrated African aviation market. Drawing on his work with AFCAC and the African Union Commission, he examines the policy, fiscal and infrastructure barriers continuing to restrict air transport growth across the continent.
The discussion explores AFCAC’s comprehensive study into aviation taxes, charges and fees, including the fragmented fiscal structures operating across African markets and the impact of double taxation and non-aviation-related charges on ticket prices, airline operating costs and passenger demand.
Prof. Dr. Samunderu also addresses the need for transparent, time-bound aviation levies that are reinvested directly into air services and airport infrastructure. He considers how private-sector participation, public-private partnerships and build-operate-transfer concession models could help close Africa’s airport infrastructure funding gap.
The interview covers data-led route development, latent passenger demand, airline ownership restrictions, government protectionism, fuel and maintenance costs, regional MRO capacity and the potential for stronger Pan-African airline alliances.
The African Air Transport Convention & Expo 2026 was organised by AFCAC in partnership with the African Union Commission, the AfCFTA Secretariat and AUDA-NEPAD.
