BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Twenty-four years after the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD), a treaty designed to liberalise access to the transport market in Africa was signed, Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, says the time has come to walk the talk, asking African leaders to make the vision a reality.
He explained that the gains of a Single Africa Air Transport Market (SAATM) were too golden to be neglected for so long and called for concerted efforts to change the narrative.
Speaking on Tuesday at the commencement of the 24th YD and SAATM week in Abuja, Keyamo maintained that a liberalised air transport market would deepen receptive diplomatic relations and ease of doing business within the continent.
He added that the Africa open skies initiative would encourage global competitiveness for African carriers and ultimately widen their market share in the global aviation market.
Keyamo revealed that statistics from the Africa Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) shows out of the 54 countries in Africa, 37 member States have so far subscribed to unconditionally implement the YD and SAATM, while 23 States have signed the Memorandum of Implementation (Mol) for its operationalization. The records also show that these 37 States account for more than 88% of intra-African traffic and more than 800 million people in Africa.
Keyamo hoped that the YD Anniversary Week celebration would inspire countries signatory to SAATM to push for its full implementation, while those who have not signed to further remove restrictions on air services are strongly encouraged to voluntarily join and commit to the principles of the open skies policy.
“The need to speed up full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision with regard to the liberalization of access to air transport markets in Africa, cannot be over emphasized as it is crucial to the achievement of the long-term vision of the African Union”, the Minister stated.
The event, themed, “Africa Wants To Fly”, hosted by Africa Civil Aviation Commission-AFCAC is aimed at accelerating air transport liberalization in Africa to improve continental connectivity and integration.
The gathering which was attended by the President of AFCAC/Director General of Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority, Silas Udahamuka, Ms. Adefunke Adeyemi, AFCAC Secretary General and other topflight Aviation/Transport Ministers in Africa symbolizes the relentless pursuit of African dreams and the firm belief that the sky is not the limit; but the beginning of an exciting journey.
According to Keyamo, “throughout history, Africa has been home to diverse cultures and peoples who have looked to the skies with awe and reverence. Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries and Air Transport is an essential component of the global transportation system and a strategic driver of economic growth and development”.
“Currently, intra-Africa trade stands low at just 14.4% of total African exports. Though African airlines have recorded a 34.7% surge in passenger traffic over the past year, the continent’s global passenger market share remains modest at 2.1%.
“Therefore, the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) is a no- brainer in giving impetus to not just intra Africa trade, tourism, but SAATM would also reduce the continent’s trade deficit by 51%”, he added.
He further noted that the success of the SAATM initiative depends on not just the commitment of individual countries, but also on collaborative efforts at the regional and continental levels.
Keyamo applauded the Secretary General of AFCAC, Ms. Adefunke Adeyemi and her team for the successful launch of the first phase of the SAATM Pilot Implementation Project (PIP) Cluster 1 Coalition Roadshow which held in Abuja, Nigeria in April 2023.
Other notable stakeholders and dignitaries at the event were Ebrima Sillah, Gambia’s Minister of Information/Communication Infrastructure; Jimmy Gasore-Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure; Madut Biar Yel Akuei, Republic of South Sudan’s Minister of Transport and Veikko Nekundi-Namibia’s Minister of Works and Transport.
Others were Dr. Emmanuel Meribole-Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Capt. Nuhu Musa, DG, NCAA, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu, DG, NiMET among others.
