Lomé Declaration: Accelerating African Air Transport Reform
The Lomé Declaration marks a decisive continental shift towards integrated, affordable and sustainable African air transport. Adopted by Ministers and Heads of Delegation during the African Air Transport Convention and Expo 2026 in Lomé, the Lomé Declaration reinforces commitments to the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the Yamoussoukro Decision. It positions aviation as a strategic driver of trade, tourism and regional integration, while demanding measurable implementation rather than repeated policy ambition. Therefore, the Declaration signals a new phase of accountability for African aviation reform.
The Lomé Declaration was adopted under the leadership of the African Civil Aviation Commission and supported by the African Union Commission, AfCFTA Secretariat and AUDA-NEPAD. Ministers stressed that “air transport is a strategic enabler of continental integration, trade, tourism, investment and people-to-people connectivity.” However, they warned that persistent barriers continue to limit growth. Meanwhile, the Declaration calls for urgent removal of restrictive market access rules and faster alignment of bilateral agreements with SAATM principles.
The Lomé Declaration strongly reaffirms full implementation of SAATM as a continental priority. It commits Member States to liberalise air services, streamline airline designation processes and improve route approval systems. In addition, it encourages harmonised regulatory frameworks to reduce delays and inefficiencies. The Declaration therefore shifts focus from policy endorsement to operational execution across national and regional aviation systems.
A key feature of the Lomé Declaration is the strengthening of the African Civil Aviation Commission as the central executing agency. It also launches the AFCAC Solidarity Commitment 2026–2028 to mobilise financial, technical and institutional support. This mechanism will provide transparent resources for capacity building and project implementation. Consequently, the Declaration introduces a structured funding pathway designed to accelerate aviation transformation.
The Lomé Declaration places strong emphasis on aviation infrastructure and operational resilience, including modern air navigation systems, safety oversight mechanisms and secure aviation infrastructure across the continent. Ministers called for the development of bankable aviation projects covering airports, navigation systems, cargo hubs, digital platforms and corridor-based investments. In addition, the Lomé Declaration underscores the importance of harmonised certification frameworks for Sustainable Aviation Fuels and lower-carbon alternatives, alongside regional coordination pathways to support scalable clean energy deployment.
The Lomé Declaration further advances Africa’s commitment to digital transformation and aviation data systems, promoting innovation partnerships, technology adoption and operational modernisation across the sector. Human capital development remains central, with targeted support for the next generation of aviation professionals, including expanded opportunities for women and youth, strengthened training institutions and deeper collaboration between regulators, operators and industry stakeholders.
The Lomé Declaration also tackles the high cost of air travel across Africa. Ministers recognised that excessive taxes, fees and administrative bottlenecks suppress demand and weaken airline viability. They endorsed a harmonised continental policy framework to guide fair and transparent aviation charging systems. Furthermore, the Lomé Declaration urges coordinated action between transport, finance and tourism authorities to make air travel more affordable and commercially sustainable.
In addition, the Lomé Declaration promotes stronger air cargo development linked to AfCFTA value chains. It supports corridor-based logistics planning, improved cargo infrastructure and enhanced cooperation between airlines, airports and trade authorities. Therefore, the Declaration positions aviation as a key enabler of intra-African trade expansion and industrial growth. It also encourages investment in secondary city connectivity to widen economic inclusion.
The Lomé Declaration advances reforms in mobility, infrastructure and sustainability. It calls for visa openness, digital travel systems and improved border efficiency to support seamless movement of passengers and goods. Moreover, it highlights the need for bankable aviation infrastructure projects and investment in sustainable aviation fuels and low-carbon technologies. The Lomé Declaration also emphasises innovation, digital transformation and youth participation in shaping Africa’s aviation future.
To ensure accountability, the Lomé Declaration mandates AFCAC, the African Union Commission and partners to develop a post-Lomé implementation roadmap. This will define priorities, timelines and reporting structures. Finally, the Lomé Declaration represents a unified continental commitment to building a safer, more connected and competitive African air transport system driven by measurable action and sustained cooperation.
