The African Union (AU) has unveiled a $30 billion initiative aimed at transforming the continent’s aviation infrastructure and accelerating the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), a flagship project under Agenda 2063.
The announcement was made during the 3rd Financing Summit for Africa’s Infrastructure Development in Luanda, where AU officials and development partners outlined the financing strategy for the ambitious plan.
Speaking at a high-level panel on aviation financing and modernisation, Mataboge emphasised that aviation remains a crucial enabler of continental integration, trade, and economic growth, especially within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to a joint study conducted by the AU, African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and the World Bank, Africa needs between $25 billion and $30 billion over the next decade to close infrastructure gaps and meet rising demand. Passenger traffic across the continent is projected to grow from 160 million in 2024 to nearly 500 million by 2050.
Plan Details
Under the new plan, $10 billion will be dedicated to airport modernisation and expansion, while $8 billion will fund upgrades to communication, navigation, and meteorological systems. The AU intends to leverage $10 billion in public funds to mobilise an additional $20 billion from private and institutional investors, working in partnership with development finance institutions and AUDA-NEPAD to align efforts with SAATM and the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA).
The strategy will integrate advanced technologies such as Airport Collaborative Decision-Making (A-CDM) and System-Wide Information Management (SWIM) to enable seamless airspace coordination. It also prioritises renewable energy adoption in aviation operations to meet global green standards and attract climate-aligned investments.
Reaffirming its commitment, the AU said the initiative will foster a modern, efficient, and sustainable aviation network, strengthening Africa’s connectivity, trade competitiveness, and role in the global air transport industry.