Mathew Amaechi
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has issued a clarion call for African states to accelerate the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), urging leaders to move beyond rhetoric and embrace tangible reforms to unify the continent’s fragmented aviation sector.
Speaking at the 18th Plenary Session of the Banjul Accord Group (BAG) in Abuja, Keyamo emphasized that regional integration and economic growth hinge on dismantling barriers to air connectivity.
Keyamo’s address at the three-day summit, attended by aviation ministers and stakeholders from BAG member states—Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Guinea Conakry, Gambia, Cape Verde, and Sierra Leone—highlighted the sluggish progress of SAATM despite strong political commitments. “Our skies must no longer be defined by closed borders, but by open opportunity,” he declared, stressing that fragmentation and protectionist policies continue to stifle Africa’s potential .
SAATM, a flagship initiative under the African Union’s Agenda 2063, aims to liberalize intra-African air travel by eliminating restrictive bilateral agreements and enabling airlines to operate freely across borders. However, only 38 of 54 African nations have ratified the agreement as of March 2025, with implementation varying widely . Keyamo lamented that while countries like Ethiopia and Rwanda lead in reforms, others lag due to infrastructural deficits, inconsistent regulations, and limited political will .
Keyamo praised regional achievements under the Banjul Accord Group, including the establishment of the Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety Oversight Organisation (BAGASOO) and the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA). These institutions have strengthened safety standards, harmonized regulations, and fostered collaboration among member states since their creation in 2009 .
To sustain progress, Keyamo called for institutionalizing BAG as a permanent entity. “A structured BAG will serve as a beacon of excellence, guiding our aviation sector toward greater efficiency and competitiveness,” he asserted, emphasizing the need for long-term frameworks to address emerging challenges like digital transformation and personnel shortages .
Nigeria’s Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, echoed Keyamo’s sentiments, noting that while BAG has made strides, infrastructure gaps, safety risks, and financial constraints persist. A recent survey by ACI Africa revealed that 77% of airport operators cite limited resources for modernization as a critical hurdle, while 74% lack infrastructure to handle increased traffic under SAATM .
Keyamo stressed that overcoming these challenges requires coordinated action. He highlighted Nigeria’s efforts to clear $850 million in trapped airline funds and its compliance with the Cape Town Convention, which improved aircraft leasing accessibility—a model for regional collaboration.