With a total population of 1.4 billion, Africans are calling to implement the Yamoussoukro decision that calls for a single African Air transport market in the continent.
Sideline with the meeting that took place between May 10-11 2023, in Addis Ababa, senior management of Addis Chamber, Ethiopian Civil Aviation and African Civil Aviation Commission convened at the head quarter of Addis Chamber.
In her remark, Adefunke Adeyemi, Secretary General of African Civil Aviation Commission calls on stakeholders to accelerate the Air transport in Africa that supports vibrant trading in the continent.
Briefing on the need to have a single Air transport in Africa, the Secretary General highlighted the importance of such initiatives in connecting the fast rising cities of Africa together.
Mebrat Nemariam , Deputy Secretary General, from Addis Chamber highlighted the role of Addis Chamber in advocating ACFTA in various platforms and outlets to ensure businesses are connected in Africa and likewise the Chamber will be committed to work towards addressing the importance of carrying out SAATM in the continent.
Gilbert Makibe, Goodwill Ambassador for Single African Air Transport Market( SAATM) said that it is the business who make government more receptive allowing the implementation of SAATM.
The single African Air Transport Market is designed by the African Union through Agenda 2063 to open up the air space of Africa and liberalize it.
It implies that Air Transport in Africa by African carriers in a domestic market that enables to reduce the high taxation levied on the aviation sector.
During the joint meeting, Beatrce Chaytor , Head of Division Trading in Services at AFCFTA, said that institutions like Addis Chamber will have an immense role in raising awareness and advocating the importance of SAATM for integration and economic growth of Africa.
βBoth tourism and Air transport cannot leave ground unless we fully implement the SAATMβ, further remarks.
Undertaking joint aviation in air transport will support to boost business said, Yohannes W/Gabriel, Director of Arbitration Institute from Addis Chamber that also said SAATM to resolve hurdles in Air transport sector in Africa.
Sisay Tadesse , Senior Advisor at Addis Chamber , hails the significance of such initiatives in scaling up the local and continental economic status of Africans as well as it helps to accelerate the movement of goods and people in Africa.
The AU designated 2023 βThe Year of Accelerating implementation of the AFCFTAβ.