The African Development Bank (AfDB) on Wednesday launched a continent-wide initiative to boost Africa’s aviation industry, aiming to improve connectivity, enhance safety, and foster skills development.
The program, named the Integrated Aviation Transform Program (IATP), was unveiled at the Airlines, Capital and Connectivity Forum held in Nairobi and online, bringing together government officials, airline executives, and development financiers from across Africa.
Mike Salawou, director of the AfDB’s Infrastructure and Urban Development Department, described the initiative as a “roadmap for making African aviation more integrated, competitive and climate-aligned.” He said the program would be implemented through partnerships between governments and the private sector to expand the continent’s air transport network.
“One of the key objectives of the IATP is to provide airlines with access to an affordable fleet, enabling them to increase air connectivity across Africa,” Salawou told the forum. “By improving operational efficiency and connectivity, we aim to stimulate economic growth and regional integration.”
The program is structured around three pillars. First, it seeks to operationalize the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), an initiative that aims to liberalize air transport across the continent, allowing carriers to fly freely between African countries without restrictions.
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Second, the IATP focuses on strengthening safety oversight. African aviation authorities have faced challenges in enforcing international safety standards, which have sometimes led to restrictions on airlines operating in certain regions. The program will support regulators in improving compliance, training personnel, and ensuring that African carriers meet global safety benchmarks.
The third pillar promotes skills development within the aviation industry, targeting pilots, technical staff, and airport operations personnel. By investing in human capital, the AfDB hopes to enhance the efficiency and reliability of airlines and airports, while creating employment opportunities in a sector with high economic spillovers.
Salawou said the initiative reflects the AfDB’s broader strategy to align infrastructure development with climate goals. “We are encouraging airlines to adopt greener technologies and more efficient operations to reduce carbon emissions while expanding services,” he said.
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Africa’s aviation sector has long struggled with fragmentation, high operational costs, and limited connectivity. Although regional hubs such as Addis Ababa, Nairobi, and Johannesburg have expanded, many smaller cities remain underserved, constraining trade, tourism, and economic integration.
The IATP is expected to address these gaps by facilitating financing options for fleet acquisition, supporting airport upgrades, and promoting public-private partnerships that can attract investment into the sector.
The two-day forum provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss financing solutions, investment priorities, and regulatory reforms necessary to boost the sector. Officials highlighted the need for innovative approaches to attract long-term funding, including blended finance structures, green bonds, and regional investment pools.
By operationalizing the SAATM, the AfDB hopes to increase intra-African air travel, reduce ticket costs, and stimulate cross-border commerce. Improved connectivity could also support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), helping businesses move goods and personnel more efficiently.
The program has already received interest from governments and private airlines, signaling potential momentum for large-scale implementation. By combining infrastructure investment, regulatory support, and workforce development, the AfDB aims to transform Africa’s aviation sector into a driver of sustainable economic growth.
“Air transport is a critical enabler of regional integration and economic development,” Salawou said. “With the IATP, we are creating a platform that connects African economies, promotes investment, and ensures that the benefits of aviation growth are shared across the continent.”
The AfDB expects the program to roll out over the next several years, with priority given to countries participating in the SAATM and those seeking to expand domestic and regional flight networks.
