By 
The European Union (EU) has stated the importance of addressing the financial and institutional capacity challenges currently impeding the development of Africa’s aviation sector.
Massimo Bonannini, Head of Infrastructures at the EU Delegation to Zambia and COMESA, stressed the need to align African aviation policies and regulatory frameworks with international standards.
He made these remarks during the Third Steering Committee Meeting of the Support to Air Transport Sector Development (SATSD) Programme, held at the COMESA Secretariat in Lusaka on Thursday.
Bonannini highlighted the ongoing efforts to liberalise Africa’s air transport market, following the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision, and reiterated the importance of staying the course on these efforts.
“All these are objectives targeted by the Support to Air Transport Sector Development (SATSD) programme,” he noted.
The EU official stressed that addressing the financial and institutional challenges would lead to improved air connectivity, reduced operational costs, and lower fares, ultimately contributing to a more efficient and resilient aviation sector across the continent.
“In the framework of the EU Global Gateway Strategy, the EU cannot miss opportunities like this one to support the aviation sector in Africa.
“This sector has immense growth potential and the capacity to improve connectivity within the region and globally, fostering economic and social progress for the people of Africa,” Bonannini said.
However, he expressed concern over the slow pace of the SATSD Programme, which was originally expected to be completed by the end of December.
Only 40 percent of the allocated budget has been absorbed, and many of the performance indicators are still at baseline levels.
As a result, the EU was considering extending the programme’s duration by two years, instead of the one-year extension initially requested.
Dr. Mohammed Kadah, COMESA’s Assistant Secretary-General for Programmes, provided an overview of the €8 million SATSD initiative, which spans 29 member states across COMESA, the East African Community (EAC), IGAD, IOC, and SADC.
He stated the programme’s significance in liberalizing Africa’s air transport market, which is key to the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and regional integration.
“The success of SATSD is crucial for the liberalization of the continent’s air transport market, regional integration, and economic growth.
“Infrastructure development is a critical component of regional integration, and the success of SATSD hinges on harmonizing regulations and improving infrastructure through collaborations like our Memorandum of Cooperation with the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC),” Kadah said.
He further underscored the need for technical cooperation, capacity building, and resource mobilization to align African aviation standards with international norms, ensuring the continued growth and integration of the aviation sector across the continent.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments