Seven West African nations, Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Conakry, Cape Verde, and The Gambia, have formally launched the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) in a move that marks a decisive shift toward regional integration.
The announcement was made during the 18th Plenary Session of the Banjul Accord Group (BAG).
The three-day meeting, hosted by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), brought together ministers, civil aviation directors-general, international agencies, and regional air transport experts to review safety oversight and fast-track Africa’s long-delayed aviation liberalisation under SAATM.
A vision decades in the making
The SAATM initiative is a product of over three decades of pan-African aviation reform efforts. The concept first gained momentum with the Yamoussoukro Declaration in 1988, where African ministers agreed on the need to liberalise intra-African air services. However, progress remained slow until the Yamoussoukro Decision of 1999 provided a more binding legal framework, signed by 44 African Union (AU) member states.
Even with that milestone, implementation lagged due to protectionist national policies, weak regulatory institutions, and infrastructure deficits. It wasn’t until 2018 that the AU formally launched SAATM as a flagship project under its Agenda 2063. Yet, fewer than 20 countries operationalised the agreement until this year’s Abuja gathering, where seven West African states took a bold and unified step forward.
Nigeria leads the charge
Declaring the session open, Festus Keyamo (SAN), Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, said the SAATM launch by BAG member states represents “a turning point” in the continent’s quest for seamless connectivity and economic integration.
“We must liberalise and open up our skies to one another,” Keyamo said. “SAATM’s implementation will increase air connectivity, make trips shorter, and improve service delivery—all at lower costs to the consumer. But more importantly, it will unlock the immense economic potential of intra-African travel.”
Keyamo stressed the urgent need for SAATM states to align their national legislations and aviation policies with the updated SAATM framework, while also ensuring that oversight institutions are empowered and adequately resourced.
Passenger safety levy to support oversight
To sustainably finance the region’s aviation oversight institutions, the BAG adopted a $1 Passenger Safety Charge (PSC) on all international passengers originating from its member states. The levy, to be implemented from January 1, 2026, is expected to fund the operations of the BAG Aviation Safety Oversight Organisation (BAGASOO) and the BAG Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA).
Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo described the charge as a necessary reform to strengthen regulatory effectiveness across the region. “We have seen the consequences of weak oversight in parts of Africa. This PSC is modest but critical for ensuring passenger safety and compliance with international standards,” Najomo said.
He also highlighted capacity constraints among member states as a key challenge. “Some BAG countries have one or no national carriers. Nigeria recently assisted Sierra Leone in acquiring its first Air Operator Certificate through a Nigerian airline. This is the type of intra-African cooperation we need,” he added.
Bridging policy with infrastructure
A major focus of the plenary was how to harmonise technical standards, improve infrastructure, and encourage bilateral agreements that reflect SAATM principles. Historically, many intra-African air routes have suffered from low traffic due to poor connectivity, visa restrictions, and high operational costs.
Adefunke Adeyemi, Secretary-General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), urged members to back political declarations with legislative action. “The revised SAATM framework must be domesticated. We need strong institutions, clear rules, and collaboration between regulators, operators, and policymakers,” she stated.
Economic promise and the AfCFTA link
Proponents argue that full implementation of SAATM could boost Africa’s GDP by $4.2 billion, create 600,000 jobs, and dramatically improve intra-African trade. This complements the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to create a single market for goods and services among 54 countries.
According to aviation analysts, SAATM is the “air artery” of AfCFTA, and its success could unlock the vast potential of the continent’s youth-driven economies.
