- Ministers adopted the Lomé Declaration on 16th June.
- The commitment advances the Single African Air Transport Market.
- Focus includes barrier removal and tax reduction.
- AFCAC Solidarity Commitment covers 2026-2028.
- 38 states signed up to the initiative by 2025.
African Union ministers have adopted the Lomé Declaration to accelerate Open Skies implementation across the continent. The commitment took place during the first African Air Transport Convention in Togo from 15th to 19th June. Ministers responsible for transport, tourism, trade and finance signed the document on 16th June.
The declaration focuses on removal of market access barriers, liberalisation of air services and reduction of aviation taxes. It supports the Single African Air Transport Market and the African Continental Free Trade Area. The AFCAC Solidarity Commitment 2026-2028 provides a mechanism for resources and capacity building.
By 2025, 38 of 55 African Union member states signed up to the initiative. In reply to a question from Travel Extra at Africa’s Travel Indaba, South African tourism minister Ptaricia de Lille was skeptical of open sikes ever being achieve din Africa.
