Rwandan President Paul Kagame has thrown down a challenge to Africa’s aviation sector: make flying within the continent cheaper, or risk stunting Africa’s economic potential. In a world where intra-African trade is meant to flourish under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), air travel remains painfully expensive—sometimes pricier than flying to Europe or the Middle East. Kagame’s remarks, delivered at a regional summit, struck a chord with businesses, investors, and frequent travellers who see sky-high ticket prices as a stubborn barrier to integration.
The cost problem is structural. Africa’s skies are heavily fragmented, with national carriers often subsidised and protected, limiting competition. High airport taxes, fuel surcharges, and regulatory fees inflate prices. Infrastructure challenges compound the problem—many airports are outdated, runways cannot handle heavy traffic, and air traffic control systems lag behind international standards. In some cases, bilateral air service agreements between countries act as gatekeepers, limiting the number of flights and keeping fares artificially high.
These inefficiencies cost more than just money. Expensive tickets mean fewer face-to-face meetings, slower deal-making, and missed opportunities for small businesses that cannot afford regional expansion. Tourism also suffers; potential travellers within Africa often choose to fly to Europe or Asia instead, simply because it is cheaper. Kagame’s critics argue that calling for lower prices is easy political rhetoric, but without tackling the root causes—protectionist policies, inadequate investment, and excessive levies—there will be little change.
Industry experts point to the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) as the most promising path forward. This flagship initiative of the African Union aims to liberalise airspace across the continent, allowing African airlines to fly freely between participating countries. But progress has been slow: only about half of African states have fully signed on, and implementation remains patchy. Resistance often comes from countries that fear losing revenue from their national carriers or airport fees.
Lowering costs will require bold moves. Governments must cut taxes and open skies to competition, while airlines will need to streamline operations and form partnerships to share routes and resources. Private investment in airports and navigation technology is also essential to reduce delays and improve efficiency. Kagame’s call is a reminder that Africa cannot afford to delay aviation reform if it hopes to unlock the full promise of AfCFTA and create a truly connected continental market.
In the end, Kagame’s message is clear: cheaper, more efficient air travel is not just about convenience, it is about unleashing Africa’s economic power. If African leaders fail to act, the continent risks grounding its own ambitions before they ever take off.
