Lomé Declaration Sets New Course for African Aviation Integration

The inaugural African Air Transport Convention & Expo brought together regulators, airline executives, and development finance institutions to bridge the gap between policy and practice. Held under the patronage of Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, the event saw the participation of regional leaders including Rwandan President Paul Kagame and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. Discussions focused on the practical hurdles of air transport liberalisation, specifically targeting the expansion of air cargo corridors and the mobilization of infrastructure investment.

The resulting Lomé Declaration and its accompanying implementation matrix serve as a direct response to the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The agreement prioritizes the development of sustainable aviation fuel initiatives and the modernization of digital infrastructure across the continent. According to Adefunke Adeyemi, Secretary General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), the summit marks a transition from high-level rhetoric to a phase of measurable execution. By aligning national aviation policies, the coalition aims to establish a more competitive market that supports regional trade and tourism, setting a unified African position ahead of the upcoming ICAO Air Transport Conference.