The capital city of Togo, Lomé, is set to become the epicenter of African aviation progress from June 15 to 19, 2026, as it hosts the landmark African Air Transport Convention and Exhibition. This pan-African gathering will focus exclusively on shaping the future trajectory of the continent’s aviation sector.
The event, organized in collaboration with the African Union Commission and under the distinguished patronage of Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, aims to fast-track the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) while deepening continental integration within the aviation industry.
With over 500 delegates expected, the summit will bring together a diverse delegation of stakeholders including government representatives, aviation regulators, airline executives, airport operators, investors, development institutions, and international partners.
Key African leaders confirmed for the high-level discussions include Lerato Dorothy Mataboge, African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy; Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA); and Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO of the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD.
Additional participants will include delegates from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Airports Council International Africa (ACI Africa), International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Togolese government, and the host organization, the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC).
Key themes shaping the agenda
The five-day program will delve into critical themes essential for Africa’s aviation future:
- Market integration – Advancing the Single African Air Transport Market to enhance connectivity and reduce barriers
- Cargo and trade corridors – Strengthening air freight networks to boost intra-African commerce
- Investment and infrastructure – Mobilizing capital and expanding airport and airspace capacity
- Technological innovation – Embracing digital transformation to modernize aviation operations
- Strategic partnerships – Forging alliances to accelerate industry growth and sustainability
Discussions will prioritize actionable strategies to improve cross-border connectivity, lower air travel costs, secure funding for infrastructure projects, and adopt cleaner aviation fuels—all aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the AfCFTA objectives.
Organizers anticipate tangible outcomes such as the adoption of the Lomé Ministerial Declaration, the official launch of the African Route Development Platform (ARDP), and the establishment of new investment and cooperation frameworks to foster a more competitive and unified African aviation market.
