The bustling city of Lomé is poised to become the epicenter of African aviation progress next June, hosting the highly anticipated African Air Transport Convention and Exhibition from the 15th to the 19th. This landmark event, dedicated to shaping the future of the continent’s air travel industry, will bring together key decision-makers and industry leaders under one roof.
Under the joint auspices of the African Union Commission and the Togolese Council of the Republic, led by President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, the summit aims to fast-track the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). Its core mission is to deepen continental integration within the aviation sector and unlock new economic opportunities across Africa.
With over 500 delegates expected, the gathering will unite ministers, aviation regulators, airline executives, airport operators, investors, development agencies, and global partners. Among the distinguished speakers are Lerato Dorothy Mataboge, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy; Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat; and Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO of the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD.
Representatives from global aviation bodies such as ICAO, ACI Africa, and IATA will join national officials from Togo and the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) to drive meaningful dialogue. The five-day agenda will explore critical themes: market integration, freight development, infrastructure financing, technological innovation, and strategic partnerships.
Central to the discussions will be strategies to enhance intra-African connectivity, lower air travel costs, fund critical infrastructure, and accelerate digital transformation in the sector. A strong focus will also be placed on sustainable aviation fuels, aligning with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the AfCFTA vision.
Organizers anticipate tangible outcomes, including the adoption of the Lomé Ministerial Declaration, the launch of the African Routes Development Platform (ARDP), and the establishment of new investment and cooperation frameworks to foster a more competitive and unified African aviation market.
More Stories
Medi1 TV gains broadcasting license in Mali to expand African media presence
Burkina Faso faces renewed terror threat at sabcé: Benin’s push for regional military unity gains urgency
Niger: 500 hectares of degraded pastoral lands restored in Gaya