Rwandan President Paul Kagame urges open skies as Africa aviation summit kicks off
Opening the summit, Rwandan President Paul Kagame said that the high cost of air travel remains a barrier to tourism and connectivity across Africa.
The ninth edition of the Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition opened Thursday in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, with a call for countries to open up Africa's skies and invest in a strong and more dynamic aviation sector.
The summit has drawn representatives from airlines, airports, aviation authorities, and industry professionals from across the continent and beyond.
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Opening the summit, Rwandan President Paul Kagame said that the high cost of air travel remains a barrier to tourism and connectivity across Africa.
The photo taken on Sept.4, 2025 shows the EHang EH216-S pilotless electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft on static display at the 9th Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition in Kigali, Rwanda. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)
Noting that Africa's skies must be opened up to better serve citizens, businesses, and the wider economy, Kagame urged governments and industry leaders to collaborate to make aviation more affordable and sustainable.
"Intra-African tourism is only 15 per cent. Why? Because air transport is expensive," he said.
Despite steady growth in demand, Africa accounts for less than 5 per cent of global air traffic, Kagame noted.
The photo taken on Sept.4, 2025 shows the EHang EH216-S pilotless electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft being demonstrated at the 9th Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition in Kigali, Rwanda. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)
"For Africa's skies to truly be inclusive, and for our airports and air transport industry to participate fully in economic growth, we must organise ourselves, invest in infrastructure, and embrace technology," he said.
"By 2044, when traffic is expected to double, we should be ready with skies that are safe and efficient, and a unique African airspace that is truly homogeneous," he said.
Alan Peaford, chairman of the Africa Aviation Summit, noted that poor intra-African connectivity, operational inefficiencies, and slow adoption of international standards are holding Africa back, but emphasised that these challenges can be resolved with collaboration.
Two clients consult exhibitors during the 9th Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition in Kigali, Rwanda, on Sept.4, 2025. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)
Kagame also toured the exhibition, which features up to 100 exhibitors showcasing their contributions to the continent's aviation growth.
The two-day summit, which concludes on Friday, is being held under the theme, "Collaborating to unlock Africa's growth -- How can Africa deliver a sustainable aviation industry?"
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