(3 Minutes Read)
After years of chronic underinvestment that have left large parts of Africa’s aviation infrastructure outdated and fragmented, the African Union (AU) is taking bold steps to rejuvenate the continent’s skies. The AU has unveiled an ambitious USD 30 billion Aviation Modernization and Connectivity Plan, aimed at transforming Africa’s air transport network, improving safety and efficiency, and strengthening continental integration.
The initiative, announced by H.E. Lerato D. Mataboge, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, during the III Financing Summit for Africa’s Infrastructure Development in Luanda, Angola, marks one of the most significant commitments to aviation infrastructure development in Africa’s history.
At the heart of the plan lies the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) — a flagship initiative under Agenda 2063, the AU’s long-term blueprint for a prosperous and integrated Africa. SAATM seeks to establish a unified and liberalized air transport market, breaking down long-standing regulatory and operational barriers that have hindered connectivity and competition across the continent.
“Aviation is not merely a mode of transport,” Mataboge emphasized. “It is a strategic engine of continental integration and a fundamental driver of Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The success of SAATM depends on our ability to build modern, safe, and efficient aviation infrastructure to meet Africa’s growing demand.”
The USD 30 billion investment target is informed by a Continental Aviation Infrastructure Gap Analysis conducted by the AU in collaboration with the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the World Bank. The study revealed that Africa will need between USD 25 billion and USD 30 billion over the next decade to close critical infrastructure gaps and prepare for a surge in air travel demand.
Passenger traffic across Africa is forecast to grow exponentially—from 160 million in 2024 to nearly 500 million by 2050—driven by rapid urbanization, the rise of the middle class, and expanded trade opportunities under the AfCFTA.
Under the AU’s plan, USD 10 billion will be dedicated to airport and aerodrome infrastructure, including runway extensions, terminal upgrades, and the construction of new regional airports. Another USD 8 billion will focus on modernizing communication, navigation, and meteorological systems, essential for improving flight safety and air traffic management.
To finance the initiative, the AU will adopt a blended financing model, leveraging USD 10 billion in public funding from African governments, development partners, and multilateral institutions to attract an additional USD 20 billion from private investors. This structure aims to reduce project risk and make African aviation more appealing to institutional and climate-focused investors.
Technological innovation and sustainability are central to the plan. Projects will integrate Airport Collaborative Decision-Making (A-CDM) and System-Wide Information Management (SWIM) technologies to enhance operational efficiency, while also adhering to global environmental standards to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
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The Luanda summit gathered key stakeholders, including government leaders, airline executives, financial institutions, and development partners, reflecting a shared commitment to revitalizing Africa’s aviation sector. Ultimately, the AU’s USD 30 billion aviation modernization program represents more than an infrastructure project—it is a continental transformation agenda, designed to enhance mobility, spur economic growth, and accelerate Africa’s journey toward deeper regional integration and global competitiveness.