AfCAC Media Network | Lomé Dispatch | Day 3 – 17 June, 2026

Day 3 - 17 June, 2026 - 16 Outcomes from the Lomé Ministerial Declaration

                🆕 *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.

Full 16: www.ecowasbusinessnews.com

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                *25 Years after the Abuja Treaty, AfCAC Renews its A-Game*
By E K Bensah Jr in Lome
17 June, 2026

Sometimes, when you are living through an incredible historical moment, the momentousness of it rarely hits you till when you least expect it.

Here's something for size: what do you get when you add a simple formula - AfCAC + AfCFTA + AUDA NEPAD to T3 (Trade-Tourism-Transport)?

You get the Lome Ministerial Declaration, and when it's superimposed against the backdrop of the 25th anniversary of the Abuja Treaty (signed 3 June, 1991), you get a little bit of power packed in under three pages.

Evidently, I am understating it.

At a time when the US-Iran spat has exposed some of Africa's vulnerabilities, - dependence on jet fuel and more - it has also underscored how important the continent has become in serving as a strategic player - as per aspiration 7 of Agenda 2063.

While numerous flights were grounded in the US and Europe, few were aware how it was Africa's airlines - Ethiopian Airlines (ET) and Kenyan Airways (KQ) - that were the major panacea transporting passengers around the world, easily circumventing the crisis that had impacted the Western and Gulf carriers.

Who would have thought that in this same year, a barely-known AU agency - established just six years after the erstwhile OAU in 1969 in Dakar, Sénégal- would come to dominate headlines in the same month that the continent would typically have been reflecting over the achievements of the Abuja Treaty? 

For too long, Africa's aviation has been consigned to the realm of the esoteric - as if to suggest it were too technical to be accepted as an important cog to Africa's integration. Yet, when you really think about it, given how Africans love to move and trade - as evidenced by the visa-free regimes of regional economic communities (RECs) like ECOWAS; EAC; SADC; IGAD et al, coupled with the onset of AfCFTA five years ago - it should have been a dominant conversation. 

Judging by events in Lome this week, that is all going to change.

*Read the rest on www.ecowasbusinessnews.com 
#AfCAC
#SAATM
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                #SAATMMedia - Was up circa 4h30amish working. Uncharacteristically so. 

Normally sleeping. It's about those times when you know you're at the cusp of historic change, and you kind want to feel alive, you know?

Wrote the 16 points emanating from the Lome Ministerial Declaration at this time. 

#moreSoon 
#AfCacMedia
#AfCAC
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                Since 15 June, AfCAC Secretariat staff has graciously allowed media/sponsored journalists to use their room to produce, and write articles - where practicable.

We are grateful for the support - and the opportunity to be part of history.

#AfCAC
#SAATM
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                Day 3. Two days left of interviews, articles, and more!

#SAATM
#AfCAC
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                Sights and sounds. Day 3. Ground floor. Afternoon. 

Just a walk through. #SliceOfLife. 

Countdown to an explosive ending of a historic conference!

#AfCAC
#SAATMMedia
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