AU Champions Aviation and Air Travel Sustainability and Connectivity at Kigali Summit. By Raymond Enoch
At the 13th African Airlines Association (AFRAA) Aviation Stakeholders Convention and the 2nd African Safety and Operations Summit, held in Kigali, Rwanda, the African Union’s (AU) Head of Transport and Mobility, Eng. Eric Ntagengerwa, underscored the continent’s commitment to revolutionizing aviation infrastructure and connectivity.
The summit, themed “Executive Punchline: Sustainability. Collaborate. Innovate,” brought together key players across Africa’s aviation and travel ecosystem. Eng. Ntagengerwa highlighted the AU’s dedication to advancing the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), supporting the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), developing bankable aviation infrastructure projects, and enhancing intra Africa connectivity.
The AU’s strategic initiatives aim to address non-physical barriers, ensuring a seamless travel experience across Africa. These efforts are aligned with Rwanda’s ambitious plans to establish itself as a central hub for aviation in Africa, exemplified by the ongoing construction of the Bugesera International Airport. This $2 billion project, located approximately 40 kilometers south of Kigali, is set to accommodate 8 million passengers annually, with projections to exceed 14 million in the coming decades. The airport will also feature a dedicated cargo terminal capable of handling 150,000 tons of cargo per year.
As the aviation industry continues to evolve, the AU’s proactive approach in fostering collaboration, sustainability, and innovation positions Africa to meet the growing demands of air travel and trade.
