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etc. in their sovereign airspaces as they LIBERALIZATION, CARGO Africa’s Agenda 2063 regarding common
deem appropriate. However, States AND AFCFTA visa and free movement protocol as well
are only strongly encouraged to adopt While Africa has chosen liberalization as single currency to stimulate increased
ICAO guidelines that ensure fairness, under a single air transport market, movement of traders and air cargo.
transparency, inclusiveness and enhanced harmonized regulation will enable African Eric Ntangangerwa of the AUC said air
air transport and economic benefits. airlines convey cargo to, from and within transport and other agencies involved in
Therefore, Alawani emphasized that multiple States without the restriction international travel and trade in Africa
African States themselves must implement of BASAs and at reduced cost. This will need to work collaboratively. Further,
the regulations as outlined in the AFCAP encourage cargo airlines to lower charges Stephen Musa, Director of Transport of
and ICAO guidelines to bring about of freight which will encourage more AFCAC, stressed that the SAATM now
associated benefits in their jurisdictions. shippers to choose air transport to ferry stands a greater chance to excel since
In fact, African States must adopt the goods around Africa. annexes have been added to the African
AFCAP, discontinue Bilateral Air Services This will also stimulate demand and Civil Aviation Policy and approved by the
Agreements (BASAs) within the continent production of goods for export within AU in July 2022 addressing competition
and embrace Multilateral Air Services Africa’s free trade market under the rules, dispute settlement mechanism and
Agreements (MASAs) and liberalization of African Continental Free Trade Area consumer protection which effectively
the air transport industry on the continent. (AfCFTA) programme which began address reservations of States.
This will create a level playing field and early 2021. Currently, Africa’s 1.4 billion Industry stakeholders also emphasize
competitiveness for all African operators, population and $6 trillion economy is on the need to encourage States to
which will in turn drive increased air still dissected by non-physical barriers accelerate production of goods for export
transport and air cargo traffic, as well as and scores of restrictive BASAs which as sources of air cargo in Africa. “Good
reduce cost of air services including cargo. contributes to the Africa’s 1.9% share of governance and production-based
global air cargo traffic. economies should be advocated and
TAXES, CHARGES & FEES prioritized. This is how air cargo will
Growth-friendly economic regulation PARTNERING OTHER gain traction. Lots of untilled soils, large
as advocated by AFCAC will effectively SECTORS TO BOOST CARGO swathes of unused agricultural lands,
address Africa’s unbearable taxes, charges While propagating the essence of crude minerals could be refined into high-
and fees described as some of the highest improved and harmonized economic value air cargo shipments to drive up air
in the world. Raffaella Irie, Statistics regulation of air transport, AFCAC, ICAO cargo in Africa,” said an aviation enthusiast
and Data Manager at African Airlines and the African Union Commission in Lagos, Nigeria.
Association (AFRAA), condemned the (AUC) have equally emphasized
high taxes, charges and fees in African the centrality of other
regions. Similarly, there are already pillars of
efforts by the Economic Community of
West African States (ECOWAS) engaged
in efforts to cut down unreasonable
taxes in the region. Such efforts
also seen in other regions
require increased political
will and consistency
of government
commitment
to aviation
development
in Africa.

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