The Federal Government has called for urgent action to fast-track the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), aiming to bolster intra-continental connectivity and drive down travel costs.
Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, said this at the opening of the 18th Plenary Session of The Banjul Accord Group (BAG) on Monday in Abuja.
“I want to highlight the urgent need to implement the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) for the benefit of our sub-region and the entire African continent” he said.
He stressed that, despite strong political will and numerous declarations, progress has been slow and fragmentation persists as a barrier to regional integration.
Hosted by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, the three-day gathering brings together aviation ministers and regulators from BAG’s seven member states ;Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Guinea-Conakry, The Gambia, Cape Verde, and Sierra Leone.
Read also: Nigerians skip air travel as high costs ground flights
SAATM, a flagship initiative under the African Union’s Agenda 2063, seeks to harmonize air transport policies and lift restrictions on routes, frequencies, and pricing across participating countries.
According to the minister, air connectivity is an asset, which improves the global competitiveness of cities, States and regions thus Africa cannot be left behind.
He underscored that SAATM will smooth the movement of passengers and cargo, reducing transit points and offering competitive prices. He also called for tackling non-physical barriers, notably the high cost of travel within the region.
“It is believed that SAATM will enhance intra-African connections and make movement of passengers and cargo smooth with minimum transit points at competitive prices. Achieving these requires our collective resolve not only to implement SAATM, but also to make conscious efforts to address the issues of non-physical barriers including the high cost of travel within the region” Keyamo stated.
Highlighting BAG’s pivotal role, the minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the sub-regional bloc’s ideals of cooperation, safety, and regulatory harmonization. “Let us leave this meeting with a shared determination to elevate BAG into a true model of African aviation solidarity,” he stated.
Earlier, Chris Najomo, Director-General NCAA described the plenary session as an opportunity to celebrate collective achievements and renew focus on challenges such as infrastructure gaps, personnel shortages, emerging safety risks, and the push for digital transformation.
“Nigeria, being a driving force in the sub-regional group, remains steadfast in its fervent support for the laudable objectives of BAG and is committed to playing an active and constructive role in seeing to the realization of such air transport sector in West Africa and beyond.
“While we chart a bold path forward for BAG in particular, and Africa & global aviation in general, let us keep our eyes on the prize of a safe, secure, and unified aviation sector in West Africa,” he noted.
Fansu Bojang, BAG Secretariat Head and Director-General of The Gambia Civil Aviation Authority, also urged continued effort to unlock the sub-region’s aviation potential. “As a group, we have pulled the industry out of the abyss we once found ourselves in,” he said.
Buhari Abdulfatai, Senate Committee Chairman on Aviation, represented by Augustine Akobundu affirmed the National Assembly’s backing of BAG’s vision. He called for policy harmonization to strengthen safety oversight, infrastructure development, and regional cooperation.
“Nigeria recognises the importance of regional cooperation in advancing aviation safety, security and development. We acknowledge the role of BAG in promoting capacity building shared standards and technical assistance among member states” he said.
