Lomé is set to become the epicenter of Africa’s aviation future next year, hosting the African Air Transport Convention and Exhibition from June 15 to 19, 2026. This high-profile continental event will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to shape the trajectory of air travel across Africa.
The summit, co-organized by the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) and the African Union Commission, is positioned under the distinguished patronage of Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé. Its primary mission: accelerating the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and deepening continental integration within the aviation sector.
Over 500 delegates are expected to converge in Lomé, including government representatives, aviation regulators, airline executives, airport managers, investors, development institutions, and international partners. Among the prominent figures slated to participate are:
- Lerato Dorothy Mataboge, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy at the African Union;
- Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA);
- Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO of the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD;
- Key representatives from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Airports Council International Africa (ACI Africa), and the International Air Transport Association (IATA);
- Senior officials from the Togolese government and AFCAC.
The five-day program will unfold through themed sessions focused on critical pillars of African aviation growth. Discussions will span the consolidation of the single air transport market, expansion of air freight corridors, infrastructure investment strategies, technological innovation, and the forging of strategic partnerships. Central themes include:
- Enhancing intra-African connectivity and reducing air travel costs;
- Mobilizing financing for critical airport and aviation infrastructure;
- Driving digital transformation across the industry;
- Promoting the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels in alignment with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and AfCFTA objectives.
Organizers anticipate concrete outcomes from the summit, including the adoption of the Lomé Ministerial Declaration, the launch of the African Route Development Platform (ARDP), and the establishment of new cooperation and investment mechanisms. These initiatives aim to foster a more competitive, integrated, and sustainable aviation market across the continent.
