African Pilot Weekly Magazine 29:2026

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.

African Pilot Magazine Editor Phillippa Dean spoke with Eng. Joy Makumbe, Zimbabwe’s Permanent Secretary for Transport and Infrastructural Development, during the inaugural African Air Transport Convention & Expo 2026 in Lomé, Togo.

Eng. Makumbe outlines the importance of regional collaboration, harmonised regulations and coordinated infrastructure investment in improving the movement of air cargo across Africa.

She explains that financiers are showing growing interest in regional corridor projects where participating countries develop coordinated proposals supported by feasibility studies and demonstrable bankability.

Eng. Makumbe also highlights the need for consistent cargo documentation and recognised regulatory standards across Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia. Repeated inspections, incompatible paperwork and duplicated charges increase costs, delay cargo at borders and weaken the competitiveness of regional trade.

The discussion covers Zimbabwe’s plans for a privately financed cargo village using a build-operate-transfer model, as well as efforts to strengthen the national ground handler through investment in storage, cargo-handling equipment and fleet capacity.

Eng. Makumbe further addresses competition under the Single African Air Transport Market, noting that local airlines must prepare to grow, compete and pursue partnerships, including codeshare agreements with airlines entering the Zimbabwean market.

The inaugural African Air Transport Convention & Expo 2026 was organised by the African Civil Aviation Commission in partnership with the African Union Commission, the AfCFTA Secretariat and AUDA-NEPAD.

Unpacking the African Development Bank’s US$7 billion for aviation infrastructure, fleet modernisation and regulatory reform across Africa.

Speaking to African Pilot Magazine Editor Phillippa Dean during the inaugural African Air Transport Convention & Expo 2026 in Lomé, African Development Bank executives Marco Yamaguchi and Mike Salawou explain the financing model behind the Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme (IATP) for Africa.

The AfDB plans to act as a catalyst, using guarantees, blended-finance structures, development finance partnerships, institutional investment and private-sector capital to mobilise US$7 billion over five years. Support will not be restricted to national flag carriers. The programme is intended to assist both state-owned and private entities while encouraging greater competition and air transport liberalisation across Africa.

The discussion examines the programme’s three pillars:

• Policy, regulatory reform, safety, security, sustainability and skills development
• Aviation infrastructure, including airports, cargo terminals, MRO facilities, fuel production, sustainable aviation fuel, airport cities, surveillance systems and air-to-rail connections
• Aircraft acquisition, leasing and fleet modernisation

Salawou provides further insight into the planned Bishoftu International Airport in Ethiopia. The AfDB has been appointed mandated lead arranger and is seeking to mobilise approximately US$8.5 billion for the estimated US$12.5 billion project. Rail and road links between Bishoftu and Addis Ababa Bole International Airport are expected to form part of an integrated two-airport system.

The interview also covers the AfDB’s airport investments across Africa, support for the Single African Air Transport Market and the regulatory reforms required to expand passenger and cargo connectivity under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Eswatini and Togo have signed an air service agreement that establishes the foundation for potential passenger services, cargo operations and trade between the two countries.

Speaking to African Pilot Magazine Editor Phillippa Dean during the inaugural African Air Transport Convention & Expo 2026 in Lomé, Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority Director General Andile Mtetwa-Amaeshi explains why bilateral air service agreements are essential to future aviation connectivity.

Mtetwa-Amaeshi discusses how the agreement provides for fifth freedom passenger rights and seventh freedom cargo rights. She also outlines the foreign operator permit, safety and security requirements that airlines would still need to meet before launching services between Eswatini and Togo.

The discussion examines Eswatini’s implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market and the role of liberalised air access in supporting intra-African trade, cargo development and stronger economic relationships between African countries.

The inaugural African Air Transport Convention & Expo 2026 was organised by the African Civil Aviation Commission in partnership with the African Union Commission, the AfCFTA Secretariat and AUDA-NEPAD.