From June 15 to 19, 2026, the Togolese capital will become the epicenter of African air transport during the first-ever African Air Transport Convention and Exhibition. This landmark event is set to accelerate progress toward a unified and sustainable African airspace.
For five transformative days, the aviation world will converge on Lomé, positioning the city as the nerve center of the continent’s air transport sector. Organized under the patronage of President Faure Gnassingbé, the convention is spearheaded by the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) in close collaboration with the African Union.
Breaking barriers for a unified African sky
The central theme of the convention—“Unified African Skies: Connectivity and Sustainable Air Transport Development”—underscores a bold vision: the acceleration of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). Launched by the African Union in 2018, SAATM aims to dismantle outdated colonial-era airspace restrictions, fostering a more interconnected and cost-effective aviation landscape.
The convention serves as the critical catalyst needed to turn this vision into reality. By liberalizing air travel, SAATM seeks to slash prohibitive inter-country ticket prices and enhance seamless connectivity across the continent, unlocking economic potential for all African nations.
A high-level forum for shaping the future
This exclusive gathering will bring together heads of state, transport ministers, aviation authorities, airline executives, investors, and technology providers. Over five days, Lomé’s conference halls will buzz with strategic discussions, policy decisions, and networking opportunities.
In addition to high-level plenary sessions, the event will feature interactive exhibitions showcasing cutting-edge aviation technologies, alongside dedicated business meetings to forge new financial and operational partnerships.
Why Lomé? The strategic hub for Africa’s aviation future
The choice of Lomé as the host city is far from arbitrary. The Togolese capital has emerged as a pivotal logistics and connectivity hub in West Africa, home to the regional airline Asky Airlines. Already connecting nearly two dozen African destinations through its Lomé-based hub, the airline exemplifies the operational model SAATM aims to scale across the continent.
By hosting this historic convention, Togo reaffirms its role as a key player in African integration, proving that the continent’s economic future is increasingly taking flight.
