ECOWAS Business News
By E K Bensah Jr

Day 1 – 15 June, 2026 – History Begins — Africa’s First Air Transport Convention Opens

“First-Ever African Air Transport Convention & Expo opens in Lome 15th June”
https://ecowasbusinessnews.com/blog/2026/06/14/first-ever-african-air-transport-convention-expo-opens-in-lome-15th-june/#:~:text=SAATM-,First%2DEver%20African%20Air%20Transport%20Convention%20%26%20Expo%20opens%20in%20Lome%2015th%20June,-By

            The first-ever African Air Transport Convention & Expo opens in Lome, Togo, from 15-19th June.

Organised by the Dakar-based AU agency responsible for civil aviation — the African Civil Aviation Commission (AfCAC) – that has been fast-tracking the Agenda 2063 flagship project of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), the meeting is under the patronage of Togolese President H E Faure Gnassingbe, and supported by AfCFTA Secretariat; and AUDA NEPAD.

The meeting comes in the wake of the 2024 ECOWAS decision that calls for a 25% reduction of taxes, charges and fees by the twelve members of ECOWAS. To date, only Cote d’Ivoire has committed to the reduction.

While a multiplicity of issues, such as ratification of SAATM by more member states; fifth freedom rights; user preferred routes; and dominance of Ethiopian Airlines, dominate typical conversations around Africa’s aviation, the five day confab promises to cover an array of key issues.

These include accelerating the implementation of SAATM; reducing the cost of air transport in Africa; Air Cargo & Corridor-based route development.

Other important topics include seamless mobility & air transport facilitation; financial sustainability; environmental sustainability; safety, security; and capacity.

Finally, issues around capacity-building in the wake of competition of Gulf Carriers will loom large with an important session focusing on women, youth and skills development in aviation.

ECOWAS Business News Managing-Editor E K Bensah Jr is in Lome, together with other media helping AfCAC to ramify and amplify the African aviation narrative around SAATM.

One of the outcomes of the Lome meeting will be a declaration on taxes, charges and fees (TCFs), and other commitments to strengthening Africa’s aviation.

What happens in Lome will be critical for the aviation conference in Montreal – the Seventh Worldwide Air Transport Conference in November.

Crucially, outcomes of Lome will feed into a roadmap for 2027 when the AU dedicates a year-long theme on #SAATM and Technology.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DZldlsIMnio/?igsh=Y216NXV6cGk5a3Bl

             So we're in. At Hotel 2 Fevrier. Finally. My accredited conference driver, Simon, came to my beachside hotel, Sancta Maria, to pick me up early enough to beat the "embouteillage", or traffic.

As files of people streamed into the hotel, I finally made my way, snapped this – and made my way upstairs. Have finally met Racky, AfCaC’s PR Officer, who introduced me to the other journalists supporting AfCAC’s Comms team for this conference.

We were introduced formally to Afcac SG, @funkiadeyemi, who, without understating it, is busy!

Trying to get into the main room for opening.

History in the making.

Afcac

             https://www.instagram.com/p/DZmaOYXMM3t/?igsh=ZTY4MWY1dzI1cXdx

Choral plays to welcoming participants for the opening session of the 5-day conference demystifying, unpacking, and explaining Africa’s aviation, and setting the scene for fast-tracking #SAATM.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZmiS9HsaCj/?igsh=N3QyYXV2MTdjMW4z

            It is not surprising President #Kagame of #Rwanda walked in with President Faure #Gnassingbe of #Togo. 

Kagame was present at the launch of #SAATM in 2018, and the Kigali Communique of 2025 offers a 9 point plan for fast-tracking SAATM and Africa’s aviation.

Flanked by the two in the video clip is the indefatigable former President of Nigeria, Obasanjo!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZmuR4fMlTJ/?igsh=eHdqYTBnZHNyaGRp

            It's health break time! But at a time when we should have been having lunch. (13h06 GMT)

That’s because the high-level delegates — Presidents Kagame and Faure Gnassingbe; and former President Obasanjo – all arrived much later than expected.

We are behind time, but judging by applause, musical interlude, participants were certainly energized enough to keep awake.

President Kagame & Gnassingbe were part of high-level delegates walking away from the hall to the exposition area.

Break has segued into a return to the hall for the main sessions to commence.

AfCAC

SAATM

             https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZm-d16MI4j/?igsh=cnprcmJ5bTFicG40


            Day 1. I took the opportunity to check out #AfCaC exhibition booth. 

An interesting one I would recommend for anyone who wants to understand how the AU is helping prosecute the #SAATM agenda.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZnnCVzs090/?igsh=MTB1eTIya2o5bnM3cQ==