Single African Air Transport Market to Be Launched in Addis

By David Indeje / January 6, 2018 | 9:47 am

The Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) will be launched this end of January at the African Union Headquarters.

SAATM is a flagship project of the African Union Agenda 2063, an initiative of the African Union to create a single unified air transport market in Africa, the liberalization of civil aviation in Africa and as an impetus to the Continent’s economic integration agenda.

The Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) will be launched at the AU HQ in Addis Ababa 28 January 2018 with just 22 AU member countries who have committed to the full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision.

— MPO (@mosafariz) January 6, 2018

Only 23 AU member countries who have committed to the full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision.

In December, the third ministerial working group meeting on the Single African Air Transport Markets (SAATM) expressed concern over the delay by the majority of African Union (AU) member states to implement the Decision.

Africa Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat in his New Years Message affirmed that it will be launched on the margins of the African Union Summit.

“Twenty-three Member States have pledged their solemn commitment to the Single Air Market, the implementation of which will increase the number of routes, reduce the cost of air travel and contribute to the expansion of intra-African trade and tourism. I call on all Member States that have not yet done so to join this important initiative.” He added.

Single African Air Transport Market

The African Union Commission Chairperson says another flagship project of Agenda 2063 the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) agreement and other related documents will be adopted in March 2018. It is expected the CFTA, will create a market of over 1.2 billion people. Its establishment will significantly increase intra-African trade, create economies of scale and regional value chains, and augment job opportunities.

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About David Indeje

David Indeje is a writer and editor, with interests on how technology is changing journalism, government, Health, and Gender Development stories are his passion. Follow on Twitter @David_IndejeDavid can be reached on: (020) 528 0222 / Email: info@sokodirectory.com

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