Ethiopian Informer
ADDIS ABABA (EI) : The African Union (AU) has disclosed new milestone in Africa’s Single Air Transport Market as Malawi became the latest African country to sign the continental initiative.
“In a significant stride towards unifying Africa’s skies and advancing economic integration, Malawi has officially signed the solemn commitment to join the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM),” the 55-member pan African bloc has disclosed in a statement.
SAATM, a flagship project of the AU’s 50-year continental development blueprint Agenda 2063, envisages establishing a unified air transport market across the continent, ultimately enchaining Africa’s broader economic integration efforts.
The Southern Africa country’s adoption of the continental initiative, making it the 38th AU member to join the SAATM, marks “a crucial step in building a more interconnected and seamless African aviation network, one that will serve the nearly 1.5 billion people across the continent,” the AU said.
The AU said the growing list of countries joining the initiative “not only aligns with the AU’s vision of a united continent and the free movement of people, goods, and services, but it will also enhance business, trade, tourism, and mobility across Africa.”
Malawi’s Foreign Minister, Nancy Tembo, said after signing the solemn commitment that the SAATM serves as “a powerful commitment to the integration of Africa.” She said the initiative will not only strengthen Africa’s connectivity, but also create new economic opportunities and foster cultural exchanges across the continent.
Amani Abou-Zeid, the outgoing AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, on her part, said Malawi’s signing of the initiative is an important milestone in Africa’s journey towards a more integrated and economically prosperous future. She further called on other remaining African countries to join the initiative, emphasizing the importance of collective effort in achieving the full potential of SAATM.
According to the AU, the SAATM is set to revolutionize Africa’s air transport and mobility landscape by removing existing barriers. It said operationalization of the market will bring significant economic benefits, including lower airfares, increased flight options, and expanded air cargo services. These improvements are expected to generate job creation within the aviation sector and related industries such as tourism, logistics, and hospitality.
(File Illustration shows the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM)
