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The East African Development Brief

Regional aviation leaders move to reduce travel barriers and boost intra-African connectivity.

On 25 April 2026, aviation regulators and transport ministers from East African countries renewed commitments to implement the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) during a regional aviation forum held in Kampala, Uganda.

Officials from the African Civil Aviation Commission emphasized that liberalizing airspace across the region is essential to lowering ticket costs and increasing connectivity.

Speaking at the forum, AFCAC Secretary General Adefunke Adeyemi noted that limited connectivity and high travel costs continue to restrict trade, tourism, and business mobility across Africa.

“Air connectivity is not a luxury—it is a development enabler,” she stated.

East African airlines and regulators also discussed harmonizing policies, improving airport infrastructure, and reducing regulatory barriers that limit competition.

Currently, intra-African flights remain significantly more expensive than flights of similar distance in other regions—a challenge that SAATM aims to address.

If fully implemented, the initiative could unlock:

• Increased tourism flows

• Faster business mobility

• Stronger regional integration

This reflects a growing recognition that movement—of people, not just goods—is central to development.

Source: AFCAC / Regional Aviation Forum Report (25 April 2026)

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