The African Union (AU) has announced an ambitious US$30 billion investment plan to overhaul and modernize aviation infrastructure across the continent under the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
Speaking at the III Financing Summit for Africa’s Infrastructure Development, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Lerato D. Mataboge, said the initiative is central to advancing Africa’s economic transformation and regional integration.
“Aviation is not merely a mode of transport,” Commissioner Mataboge stated.
“It is a strategic engine of continental integration and a core enabler of Agenda 2063 and the AfCFTA. The Single African Air Transport Market will only succeed if we build the modern, safe, and efficient infrastructure that Africa’s growth demands.”
According to a Continental Aviation Infrastructure Gap Analysis conducted by the AU in collaboration with the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the World Bank, Africa requires between US$25 and US$30 billion over the next decade to close critical aviation infrastructure gaps.
Passenger traffic across the continent is projected to grow from 160 million in 2024 to nearly 500 million by 2050, underscoring the need for urgent investment.
The AU’s financing strategy targets US$10 billion for airports and aerodrome expansion, US$8 billion for upgrading communication, navigation, and meteorological systems, and an additional US$10 billion in catalytic public finance to attract US$20 billion from private and institutional investors.
The plan will be implemented in partnership with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and AUDA-NEPAD, aligning with SAATM and the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA).
The modernization blueprint also includes the adoption of advanced technologies such as Airport Collaborative Decision-Making (A-CDM) and System-Wide Information Management (SWIM) to enable a fully integrated continental airspace.
Renewable energy solutions will be deployed at airports to promote green financing and align with global sustainability targets.
“As we modernize African skies, we are doing so sustainably,” Mataboge emphasized.
“Every project we prepare is designed to meet global green standards, reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, and make African aviation an attractive asset class for the world’s growing pool of climate-focused capital.”
The high-level session, titled Financing and Modernizing African Civil Aviation Infrastructure to Promote Integrated Continental Airspace and Enable Free Movement Under SAATM, brought together key stakeholders including the Ministers of Transport from Zimbabwe and Rwanda, the Secretary-General of AFCAC, senior representatives from Morocco’s Ministry of Transport and Logistics, the CEOs of Ethiopian Airlines and TAAG Angola Airlines, and delegates from the World Bank Group and the European Commission.
Commissioner Mataboge reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to building a modern, efficient, and sustainable aviation network capable of driving Africa’s integration, boosting intra-African trade, and enhancing global competitiveness.
