The African Union has unveiled a US$30 billion investment plan to modernize aviation infrastructure across the continent under the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), as part of efforts to accelerate economic integration and sustainable growth.
Announcing the plan at the Third Financing Summit for Africa’s Infrastructure Development in Luanda, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy Lerato Mataboge said the aviation sector is a strategic driver of continental integration and a key enabler of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Agenda 2063.
“Aviation is not merely a mode of transport; it is an engine of integration and a cornerstone of Africa’s economic transformation,” Mataboge said, emphasizing that modern, safe, and efficient aviation infrastructure is essential to achieving SAATM’s goals.
According to a Continental Aviation Infrastructure Gap Analysis conducted with the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), ICAO, and the World Bank, Africa will need between US$25 billion and US$30 billion over the next decade to close critical infrastructure gaps. Passenger traffic is expected to rise sharply from 160 million in 2024 to nearly 500 million by 2050, underscoring the need for immediate investment.
The plan allocates US$10 billion for airport and aerodrome infrastructure and US$8 billion for upgrading communication, navigation, and meteorological systems. The AU aims to mobilize US$10 billion in public finance to attract an additional US$20 billion in private and institutional investment through partnerships with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and AUDA-NEPAD.
The modernization strategy will incorporate advanced technologies such as Airport Collaborative Decision-Making (A-CDM) and System-Wide Information Management (SWIM) to facilitate seamless continental airspace management. It also includes the integration of renewable energy systems at airports to enhance sustainability and attract green financing.
“As we modernize African skies, every project is designed to meet global green standards, reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions, and position African aviation as an attractive destination for climate-focused capital,” Mataboge said.
The session also featured ministers of transport from Zimbabwe and Rwanda, the Secretary-General of AFCAC, the Director of Strategies at Morocco’s Ministry of Transport and Logistics, the CEOs of Ethiopian Airlines and TAAG Angola Airlines, as well as representatives from the World Bank Group and the European Commission. The discussion underscored the importance of collaborative investment to build a connected, efficient, and sustainable African aviation network
