African Aviation Leaders Launch Landmark Event in Togo to Accelerate Single African Sky
Lomé, Togo (June 15, 2026) — African aviation leaders gathered today in Togo’s capital for the opening of the inaugural African Air Transport Convention & Expo 2026, a landmark five-day event aimed at accelerating the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and boosting continental connectivity.
Hosted by the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) in collaboration with the African Union Commission and under the patronage of the Government of Togo, the convention brings together more than 500 participants, including heads of state, ministers, civil aviation authorities, airlines, airports, investors, and development partners.
The event is taking place primarily at Hotel 2 Février in Lomé, just a short distance from Gnassingbé Eyadema International Airport.
The theme, “Single African Sky: Connectivity and Sustainable Development of Air Transport,” underscores the push to liberalize air services, reduce costs, and align aviation growth with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Agenda 2063.
High-level sessions on Day 1 focus on SAATM implementation, lowering taxes, fees and charges to improve affordability, and strengthening African airlines for greater resilience and competitiveness.
AFCAC officials described the convention as a pivotal platform to translate policy commitments into actionable outcomes, including a planned Lomé Ministerial Declaration, new frameworks for reducing aviation costs, the launch of an African Route Development Platform, and pipelines for bankable infrastructure projects.
Discussions will also cover air cargo corridors, visa facilitation, digital travel solutions, sustainable aviation fuels, and human capital development.
Togo, a strong advocate for SAATM, is showcasing its infrastructure readiness, with organizers highlighting the country’s strategic location and modern facilities as ideal for hosting this continental gathering.
The expo features an industrial exhibition, bilateral meetings, route development marketplaces, and ministerial roundtables running through June 19.
Expected deliverables include new air service agreements, investment commitments, and policy recommendations to drive intra-African trade and tourism.
This first-of-its-kind event marks a significant step toward a more integrated, efficient, and sustainable African aviation sector, with stakeholders hoping it will deliver concrete progress on long-standing barriers to air travel across the continent.
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