Addis Ababa – October 31, 2025 — The African Union (AU) has announced a landmark US$30 billion continental aviation modernization initiative aimed at transforming Africa’s air transport systems and fully operationalizing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) — one of the flagship projects of the AU’s Agenda 2063.

The plan was unveiled by Amani Abou-Zeid Mataboge, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, during a high-level forum on “Financing and Modernizing African Civil Aviation Infrastructure to Promote Integrated Continental Airspace and Enable Free Movement Under SAATM.”

A Strategic Leap for Africa’s Integration

Commissioner Mataboge emphasized that aviation is central to Africa’s economic transformation and integration, linking people, markets, and industries across borders.

“Aviation is not merely a mode of transport,” she said. “It is a strategic engine of continental integration and a core enabler of Agenda 2063 and the AfCFTA. The Single African Air Transport Market will only succeed if we build the modern, safe, and efficient infrastructure that Africa’s growth demands.”

The AU’s new investment plan aligns closely with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to boost intra-African trade and mobility. By enhancing air connectivity, the initiative aims to reduce travel costs, cut cargo delivery times, and stimulate tourism, logistics, and manufacturing sectors across member states.

Infrastructure Gap and Growth Forecasts

The Continental Aviation Infrastructure Gap Analysis, jointly conducted by the AU, the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the World Bank, estimates that Africa needs between US$25–30 billion over the next decade to address critical deficiencies in airports, air navigation systems, and meteorological services.

Passenger traffic is expected to triple from 160 million in 2024 to nearly 500 million by 2050, driven by population growth, economic expansion, and increased regional mobility. Without significant upgrades, the current infrastructure will be unable to handle this surge, risking bottlenecks that could undermine the promise of SAATM and AfCFTA.

Funding Blueprint

The AU’s financing model seeks to mobilize US$10 billion in catalytic public funding to attract an additional US$20 billion from private and institutional investors.

Breakdown of projected funding needs includes:

• US$10 billion for airport and aerodrome expansion, including new terminals, runways, and safety systems.
• US$8 billion for communication, navigation, and meteorological modernization, essential for air safety and traffic management.
• US$12 billion for fleet renewal, training, and maintenance facilities, including the development of regional aviation academies and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) hubs.

The AU is working with international development partners, sovereign wealth funds, and African development banks to structure blended finance and public-private partnerships that can accelerate project implementation.

SAATM: A Pathway to a Borderless African Sky

Launched in 2018, SAATM seeks to liberalize air transport across Africa, creating a unified aviation market similar to the EU’s open skies policy. As of 2025, 38 countries have signed the commitment, representing over 80% of Africa’s aviation market. However, full implementation has been hindered by limited infrastructure, regulatory fragmentation, and high operational costs.

The new modernization plan, officials say, will address these structural barriers by enabling seamless, safe, and cost-effective air travel between African cities.

Broader Economic Impact

According to the AU, fully implementing SAATM could generate nearly 300,000 direct jobs and over two million indirect jobs in aviation-linked industries, while contributing an additional US$10 billion to Africa’s GDP annually.

“Modern airports and efficient airspace management are not just about passenger comfort — they are about competitiveness, investment attraction, and the free movement of goods and people,” Mataboge added.

Next Steps

The AU will convene a Continental Aviation Investment Forum in 2026 to bring together investors, policymakers, and airlines to advance project financing and infrastructure delivery. Priority projects include regional air traffic management centers, modernized weather forecasting systems, and the digitalization of aviation data.

The ambitious initiative signals Africa’s intent to take ownership of its airspace and position aviation as a driver of economic transformation, connectivity, and continental unity.