Nigeria Affirms Commitment to Air Transport Liberalization in Africa

..Advances in SAATM Implementation and Bilateral Agreements

Director General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu has reiterated Nigeria’s continued commitment in support of the liberalization of air transport in Africa.

In his address of welcome at the 24th anniversary of Yamoussoukro Decision Day in Abuja with the “African Wants to Fly”, he said, Nigeria has shown this commitment with the signing of the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market, SAATM – Pilot Implementation Project (SAATM-PIP) and further in conjunction with AFCAC, hosted the first ever SAATM-PIP roadshow in Africa in April, 2023. 

“The successful roadshow was to facilitate the full implementation of YD/SAATM in Africa wherein Nigeria has appointed a focal point to serve as a Facilitator for SAATM-PIP”. 

Captain Nuhu also drew attention of participants to the recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AFCAC for tracking and monitoring the full implementation of YD/SAATM.

“She is also in the process of setting up a National Implementation Committee that would include various relevant stakeholders to enable further discussion that would facilitate the full implementation of YD/SAATM in Nigeria”.

He further noted, that Nigeria negotiated Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs) with some African Countries that are signatory to SAATM based on the AFCAC YD – Compliant Air Services Agreement (ASA) template during the last ICAO Air Service Negotiation Event (ICAN2022) held in Abuja in December 2022.

“This was done to promote 5th Freedom Traffic penetration, stimulate market growth, remove or reduce impediments to the full and sustainable implementation of SAATM as well as ensure collaboration between States and the aviation Industry”.

The DGCA emphasized that, this year’s Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) Week will afford States in identifying the status of implementation of the YD/SAATM while encouraging Member States and all partner to join hands in the implementation of SAATM. 

“The YD Week will also encourage African Airlines to take full advantage of the benefits of SAATM and expand their operations across Africa. It is hoped that the week would further inspire Members states that have not joined SAATM to do so without conditions to enable them proceed with the accelerated implementation of SAATM”.

He listed other benefits of YD/SAATM to include, enhancing connectivity by removing barriers and restrictions on air travel between African countries as this would lead to more direct flights, increased frequency, and improved routes, making movement of passengers and cargo easier and smoother with minimum transit points at competitive prices.