By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
African
heads of state and former leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to
strengthening continental air transport integration during the opening of the
African Air Transport Convention and Exhibition 2026 in Lomé, Togo.
President
Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé of Togo expressed appreciation to President Paul
Kagame of Rwanda and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo for attending
the event, noting that their presence underscored ongoing efforts toward
African unity and regional integration.
The
convention brought together high-level stakeholders to discuss the strategic
role of air transport in advancing mobility, trade, competitiveness, and
economic sovereignty across the continent.
Speaking
at the opening, President Gnassingbé emphasized that Africa’s airspace should
not be viewed solely as a means of transportation, but as a key driver of
economic transformation and an enabler of opportunities, particularly for young
people.
He
further stressed that improved connectivity among African countries is
essential for building a stronger and more prosperous continent capable of
shaping its own development trajectory.
The
convention is expected to facilitate discussions on policy alignment,
infrastructure development, and investment opportunities within Africa’s
aviation and air transport sector.
