African governments and aviation industry leaders are urging faster implementation of open-skies policies, warning that fragmented air transport markets are inflating business costs and undermining the African Continental Free Trade Area.
A high-level working session held ahead of the Africa Mindset Reset Forum in Kigali found that while much of the legal framework to liberalize air travel exists, implementation, financing, and political commitment remain significant obstacles.
Rwanda’s Minister for Trade and Industry, Antoine Kajangwe, said reliable air connectivity is essential for businesses to access markets across the continent. “We must work towards affordable, frequent, and reliable air connectivity that allows a manufacturer in Kigali to ship cargo across Africa without excessive costs, unnecessary delays, or complicated routes,” he said.
Discussions centered on the Yamoussoukro Decision, which seeks to liberalize African air transport markets through expanded traffic rights. Tsotetsi Makong of the AfCFTA Secretariat emphasized that countries must move beyond adopting continental agreements to implementing them domestically. “Those rules must be domesticated, brought to life, and translated into practical benefits for African people and businesses,” Makong said.
Financial pressures facing African airlines emerged as a major concern. Raphael Kuuchi of the African Airlines Association said nearly $800 million (Sh103.2 billion) in airline revenues remains blocked across about 14 African countries, restricting carriers’ ability to repatriate earnings and reinvest in operations. He warned that airlines cannot sustainably maintain routes when revenues earned in one market are used to finance operations elsewhere.
The African Development Bank’s Lufeyo Banda said open skies would require investment beyond regulatory reform, including fleet modernization, stronger institutions, and improved connectivity. “Open skies cannot be achieved through policy commitments alone. Financing, fleet modernization, stronger institutions, and improved connectivity must all be addressed together,” he said.
The African Civil Aviation Commission estimates Africa’s aviation connectivity index at about 23 percent, with affordability identified as a major barrier to travel. RwandAir CEO Yvonne Manzi Makolo said additional taxes and charges can make intra-African flights significantly more expensive, with some fees accounting for almost half of ticket prices.
For Kenya, a major regional aviation hub, deeper implementation of open-skies policies could create opportunities for airlines, Tourism, exporters, and businesses seeking to expand across African markets, while also exposing local carriers to greater competition.
Participants also proposed an “Africa Zone” of countries offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to improve business and tourism mobility.
The Africa Mindset Reset Forum, scheduled for August 25-26 in Kigali, is expected to focus on turning policy commitments into practical initiatives. The central challenge, participants said, is no longer developing frameworks but ensuring governments implement them.
