Ministers and Heads of Delegation responsible for Transport, Tourism, Trade and Finance from African Union Member States are currently gathered in Lome, Togo for the maiden African Air Transport Convention and Expo organized by the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) and the African Union. The Convention which was officially opened by the President of the Council of the Togolese Republic and SAATM Champion, H.E. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé also had in attendance the President of Rwanda, His Excellency Paul Kagame and Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria. The Convention is holding from 15-19 June, 2026 under the theme “One African Sky: Connectivity and Sustainable Air Transport Development”.
The Opening ceremony of the high- level meeting had in attendance numerous African ministers, heads of Civil Aviation Organisations, CEOs of leading African airlines, representatives from the African Union, SAATM champions and ambassadors, amongst others.
Welcoming delegates, H.E. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé described the Convention as “a defining moment for African aviation, trade, and integration”. President Gnassingbé said Togo was “privileged to host this premier continental gathering at a defining moment for African aviation, trade, and integration”. He described the Convention as “not merely an event on the calendar” but the event “reflects Africa’s growing determination to build a more connected continent, to lower the barriers that still separate our markets, and to translate political vision into practical results for our people.”
Cross section of delegates at the Convention
He pointed to the cost of poor connectivity: “For too long, the promise of African connectivity has moved more slowly than the aspirations of African citizens and businesses. Yet we know what is possible. We know that when air links improve, markets expand. When mobility is eased, tourism grows. When air cargo systems are strengthened, trade becomes faster, more reliable, and more competitive.”
President Gnassingbé issuing a clear mandate for the week said “the implementation of SAATM remains so important. Liberalisation must not remain a mere legal principle. It must become a lived reality through more routes, higher frequencies, better market access, lower costs, stronger competition, and more seamless border crossings.”
The President of the Bureau of AFCAC, Mr. Florent Serge who set the tone for the 5-day gathering stressed that the Convention is “not a routine conference” but “a working platform for continental execution”. Mr. Florent stated that: the Convention is structured to “pursue concrete outcomes, including high-level commitments on SAATM implementation, practical progress on alignment of air service arrangements, actions on taxes, fees and charges, support for cargo and trade corridors, mobilization of bankable projects, and a Ministerial declaration and Roadmap anchored in implementation.”
Hon. Comla Kadje, Minister of Transport of the Togolese Republic, said the Convention comes “at the right time” as Africa’s aviation sector evolves with SAATM and AfCFTA. He said: “We are particularly encouraged that this Convention is designed to generate concrete outcomes, including a Ministerial Declaration, policy and regulatory commitments, updated market acctess arrangements, endorsed cargo and trade corridors, bankable project pipelines, and structured partnerships”.
Cross section of delegates at the Convention
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in his remarks stated that “Air transport is one of the clearest tests of whether Africa is serious about integration.” He warned: “If Africans cannot travel easily within Africa, then AfCFTA will remain limited. If our airlines cannot connect our markets, then our businesses will stay fragmented. If our borders stay difficult to cross, our tourism will not reach its full potential. If our aviation sector is unsafe, overtaxed, underfinanced, and poorly coordinated, then the promise of Agenda 2063 will be delayed.”
The former President laid out six immediate actions for the Convention and the continent at large which includes making SAATM operational, cutting the cost of flying, easing mobility for Africans, financing infrastructure and airlines cooperation. He urged the stakeholders to ensure that the Convention becomes a turning point for the continent.
The 5-day convention and expo continues with more sessions on SAATM, fifth freedom rights, AfCFTA, air cargo corridors, finance and infrastructure, amongst others.
L-R: Dr Oche; SG of AFCAC, Ms. Adefunke Adeyemi; Nigeria Minister of Aviation, Barrister Festus Keyamo; Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; DG Nigeria CAA, Capt Chris Najomo; SAATM Ambassador for West, Capt Edward Boyo