🆕 Here are the *16 points ECOWAS Business News has curated from the Lome Ministerial Declaration of 16.6.2026*
▶️Ministers reaffirmed that *air transport is a strategic enabler of continental integration, trade, tourism, investment, industrialization, regional value chains and people-to-people connectivity.*
▶️The declaration reaffirms the *full and effective implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision and the Single African Air Transport Market as a priority continental agenda for African integration* and development.
▶️Ministers also recognized *the central role of the African Civil Aviation Commission as the Executing Agency of the Yamoussoukro Decision and SAATM, and as the African Union specialized agency for civil aviation.* The Declaration calls for strengthened institutional capacity and sustainable financing to enable AFCAC to support Member States, coordinate implementation, monitor progress and advance Africa’s aviation priorities.
▶️One of the major outcomes of the Lomé Declaration is *the launch of the AFCAC Solidarity Commitment 2026-2028, a resource mobilization initiative aimed at strengthening AFCAC’s capacity to implement its mandate,* support Member States, accelerate SAATM implementation and advance continental aviation priorities.
▶️The AfCAC Solidarity Commitment *provides a practical mechanism for mobilizing direct financial resourcing, technical assistance, in-kind support, capacity-building, tools, systems and project-based support* in a transparent, accountable, auditable and results-oriented manner.
▶️Ministers recognized that *high aviation taxes, fees and charges, together with administrative and operational bottlenecks, increase the cost of air travel and air freight, suppress demand, weaken route viability* and limit the contribution of aviation to trade, tourism and economic growth.
▶️Ministers committed to *promote coordinated action by transport, finance, tourism, trade and aviation authorities to rationalize excessive taxes, fees and charges, improve transparency and consultation*, and support measures that enhance affordability while ensuring the sustainability of essential aviation services.
▶️Ministers committed to *promote air cargo development, corridor-based route development and priority intra-African air cargo corridors aligned with AfCFTA value chains* and regional economic priorities.
▶️The declaration also calls for *practical reforms to improve seamless mobility and air transport facilitation across Africa.* Ministers committed to *improving visa openness, passenger experience, cargo clearance, digital travel systems and border management in support of SAATM, AfCFTA and regional integration.*
▶️Ministers recognized that *modern, efficient, secure, climate-resilient and commercially viable aviation infrastructure is essential for the success of SAATM* and Africa’s broader integration agenda
▶️The declaration also *advances Africa’s commitment to sustainable air transport and climate resilience.* Ministers committed to supporting Africa’s participation in the development, production, financing and deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuels, Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels and other cleaner aviation energy solutions.
▶️Ministers committed to *promoting digital transformation, operational modernization, aviation data systems, technology adoption, innovation partnerships and capacity-building across Africa’s aviation sector.*
▶️The declaration also calls for *priority attention to the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals, women and youth participation,technology transfer and stronger partnerships* among training institutions, regulators, operators and industry.
▶️They committed to *strengthen safety and security oversight, regulatory cooperation, capacity-building, implementation of international standards and resilience against emerging threats*.
▶️The Declaration *requests AFCAC, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, AfCFTA Secretariat, AUDA-NEPAD, Regional Economic Communities, Member States and relevant partners, to coordinate follow-up on the Declaration*. AFCAC is also requested to prepare *a post-Lomé implementation roadmap identifying priority actions, responsible institutions, indicative timelines, resource requirements* and reporting arrangements.
▶️Ministers called for *stronger coordination among continental institutions and partners to avoid fragmentation, improve programme alignment, mobilize resources* and ensure that support is directed toward measurable implementation priorities.
Read full article on ECOWAS Business News on 17 June, 2026 on âś…www.ecowasbusinessnews.com
