COMESA Opens Workshop to Boost Africa’s Air Connectivity
A five-day workshop bringing together delegates from COMESA and EAC member states opened in Kigali on Monday, September 8, 2025, with the aim of strengthening air transport connectivity across Africa.
The capacity-building workshop is focusing on the Yamoussoukro Decision Annexes, particularly dispute settlement, competition, and consumer protection in the aviation sector.
Dr. Zacharia King’ori, Senior Transport Economist at the COMESA Secretariat, said Africa’s air transport sector remains underdeveloped, with limited competition, high fares, and poor connectivity.
“There is no fair competition that could promote greater use of air transport, make it cheaper, more efficient, and more accessible. Travelling between African cities is difficult; flights are often unavailable, waiting times are long, and ticket prices are unaffordable for most African citizens,” he said.
He added that the Yamoussoukro Decision is designed to address these challenges, drive down costs through competition, and improve connectivity for trade and the movement of people and goods.
Emmanuel Nuwamanya, Head of Policy and Planning at Rwanda’s Ministry of Infrastructure, underscored the importance of implementing regional aviation agreements.
“The workshop will help operationalize agreements signed between African states, ensuring that our skies are used efficiently for the benefit of all Africans,” he said.
He explained that many travellers are still forced to transit through non-African airports before reaching destinations on the continent, which increases both costs and travel time.
“What needs to be corrected is the fact that Africans travelling to other African countries are often obliged to pass through connection points outside the continent, such as in Asia or America. This creates unnecessary delays and expenses,” he added.
Nuwamanya further highlighted the importance of the workshop in advancing the Yamoussoukro Decision.
“This workshop will help us focus on three key areas—consumer protection in air transport, competition, and peaceful dispute resolution—outlined in the annexes. All participants will discuss these issues as part of efforts to implement the Yamoussoukro Decision,” he said.
Delegates, including officials from consumer protection authorities, civil aviation agencies, and regional courts, will spend five days discussing solutions to unlock Africa’s aviation potential and make air travel more affordable and accessible.
Nadine Umuhoza