Rwandan President Paul Kagame has called on African countries to accelerate aviation reforms and improve air connectivity, warning that costly and inefficient travel links continue to undermine trade, investment, and economic growth across the continent.
Speaking at the inaugural African Air Transport Convention & Expo in Togo, Kagame said Africa has spent decades discussing regional integration, trade, and the free movement of people, but implementation has lagged behind.
“Air connectivity at its core is about Africa’s ability to act collectively and obtain concrete results,” he said. “We know what has to be done. We just have to do it.”
Travel Barriers Continue to Hold Back Growth
Despite being home to nearly one-fifth of the world’s population, Africa accounts for only a small share of global air traffic.
According to Kagame, one of the main reasons is that travelling across the continent remains expensive and often inefficient. In many cases, passengers flying between two African cities are forced to transit through Europe or the Middle East due to limited direct connections.
He noted that these barriers weaken intra-African trade, discourage investment, and make it difficult for businesses to expand across borders.
The Rwandan Head of State pointed to the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) as a key framework for addressing these challenges. However, he stressed that the initiative now requires stronger political commitment, clear timelines, and measurable outcomes.
Investment Needed Across Aviation Value Chain
Kagame also highlighted the need for greater investment in aviation infrastructure to support long-term connectivity. He said efficient air transport depends not only on airlines but also on modern airports, aircraft maintenance facilities, and reliable aviation fuel supply chains.
For that reason, he urged governments and investors to view aviation as a strategic economic enabler rather than a risky sector. Development banks, sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, and private capital all have a role to play in transforming Africa’s aviation industry, he said.
While acknowledging the importance of financing, Kagame cautioned that capital alone would not be enough to unlock the sector’s full potential.
He called for urgent action to remove regulatory and operational obstacles that continue to slow progress, arguing that stronger connectivity would help create a more integrated and competitive African economy capable of attracting investment and supporting sustainable business growth.
