The African Bar Association (AfBA) has called for regulatory barriers to air travel between African countries that better connections will help businesses reach new markets and support tourism across the continent the call was made by Mohammed Ndayako, AfBA vice president, during a webinar organised by the association’s Aviation Committee on regional air connectivity.
The webinar was titled “Connecting Africa’s Skies Unlocking Regional Air Connectivity for Tourism, Trade and Economic Growth,” focused on the barriers affecting movement by air between African countries and the need for stronger cooperation among governments and industry stakeholders.
Ndayako said Africa’s tourism assets, markets, natural resources and businesses could not be fully developed without better air connections between countries and regions. He said improved connectivity would make it easier for Africans to travel, help businesses reach new markets, support tourism and give investors better access to business opportunities across the continent.
He called on African countries to examine the policies and regulations that limit regional air travel and work towards greater alignment of their legal and regulatory systems.
Ndayako also called for stronger cooperation among governments, airlines, airports, tourism authorities, investors and development institutions in building a more connected African aviation market, the call was to improve intra – African air travel through the single Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), which is designed to create a more integrated air transport market across the continent.
The African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), which is responsible for implementing SAATM, said earlier this year that the number of intra-African routes had risen from 59 in 2023 to 124 by March 2026. It also reported that air connectivity increased from 14.5 per cent in 2022 to 23 per cent by December 2025.
Despite the increase in routes, the cost of air travel remains a major concern for African passengers and airlines. AFCAC has also said reducing barriers to air travel remains part of efforts to improve connectivity across the continent. This makes easier access to other African markets which would create opportunities for new routes and additional passenger traffic. Airports and tourism businesses could also benefit from increased movement between countries.
The AfBA Aviation Committee said stronger regional connectivity would require not only changes in aviation rules but also cooperation among the different organizations involved in air transport.
