On June 15, 2026, Rwandan President Paul Kagame embarked on a highly strategic working visit to Lomé. His arrival in the Togolese capital transcended mere protocol, signaling a pivotal moment for the continent’s economic future. President Kagame engaged in discussions with his Togolese counterpart, President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, against a backdrop of concerted efforts to accelerate the establishment of a unified African airspace.
Lomé summit: Paul Kagame and Faure Gnassingbé drive African aviation unity
This significant visit coincided with the opening of the African Air Transport Convention and Exhibition 2026, which is bringing together key industry decision-makers in Togo until June 19. Spearheaded by Togo’s Minister of Transport, Dr. Comla Kadje, this major sectoral gathering aims to dismantle protectionist barriers and foster integrated continental markets. To achieve this, the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) has rolled out a high-level agenda focused on the structural priorities essential for this unprecedented transition.
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What is SAATM, the single African air transport market initiative?
Central to these discussions is the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) project, a flagship initiative of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Launched in 2018 during Paul Kagame’s pan-African presidency, SAATM’s primary objective is to liberalize African skies through the deregulation of services and the promotion of transnational competition.
Currently, thirty-three African nations, including both Togo and Rwanda, have formally committed to the project. The long-term goal is to fully implement the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision. To achieve this, signatory states pledge to lift market access restrictions, eliminate cross-ownership limitations, and mutually grant extensive traffic rights, spanning from the first to the fifth freedom. Projections from the African Development Bank (AfDB) indicate that this unified market is expected to lead to a significant reduction in ticket prices, a surge in passenger traffic, and substantial economic benefits across the continent.
Kigali-Lomé axis: a historic partnership for regional integration
Furthermore, this journey underscores the robust diplomatic ties between Rwanda and Togo. In January 2025, President Faure Gnassingbé traveled to Kigali, where his discussions with Paul Kagame at Urugwiro Village laid the groundwork for enhanced cooperation across sectors such as agriculture, commerce, investments, and green finance.
The close collaboration between the Rwandan leader and the Togolese head of state – who is frequently mandated by the African Union to undertake regional mediations – solidifies Lomé’s standing as an indispensable hub for continental integration.
Security and Agenda 2063: stability beyond economic goals
Moreover, the private discussions between the two leaders encompassed a critical component related to peace and security in Africa, two variables inherently linked to economic prosperity. Ultimately, SAATM’s triple objectives — unifying transport, liberalizing aviation, and streamlining the movement of goods and people — remain contingent on a stable environment.
In essence, the simultaneous presence of Paul Kagame and key figures in civil aviation in Lomé signals that the era of mere declarations of intent has passed. Togo is now ushering in an epoch of decisive actions toward Africa’s aerial and economic independence.
