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Kagame Criticizes High Cost of Air Travel in Africa

Kagame Calls for Lower Air Travel Costs to Boost African Connectivity
At the opening of the 2025 Aviation Africa Summit in Kigali, President Paul Kagame delivered a compelling appeal for urgent measures to reduce the prohibitive cost of air travel across Africa. He argued that flying should no longer be a luxury reserved for the wealthy but rather an accessible means of transport that can stimulate economic growth, enhance connectivity, and foster innovation throughout the continent.
Vision for a Dynamic and Inclusive Aviation Sector
Addressing delegates at the Kigali Convention Centre, Kagame outlined a clear vision for Africa’s aviation future. He emphasized the importance of investing in a robust and dynamic aviation sector as a foundational element for economic development. With a burgeoning middle class and increasing tourism, the demand for air travel is expected to double in the coming years, underscoring the urgency of addressing current barriers.
Kagame highlighted ongoing continental initiatives aimed at liberalizing airspace, notably the Single Africa Air Transport Market, which seeks to facilitate freer movement of people and goods. He also pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area as a critical driver of prosperity and integration. Rwanda’s own reforms, including the removal of visa restrictions for all African citizens, were cited as practical steps toward enhancing regional connectivity.
Challenges and the Path Forward
Despite these positive developments, Kagame acknowledged significant challenges that continue to hinder the sector’s growth. High operational costs and infrastructure deficiencies contribute to expensive travel, limiting accessibility. He stressed that these obstacles increase the cost of moving people and capital, making air travel unaffordable for many. While Rwanda’s national carrier is expanding its fleet, Kagame emphasized that achieving the vision of a unified African sky requires broader collaboration among African institutions, including the African Union and aviation authorities.
Kagame’s call for more affordable air travel comes amid potential resistance from various stakeholders. Airlines and governments may resist regulatory changes due to concerns over revenue and service quality, while tourism sectors dependent on current pricing structures could be wary of reforms. Market responses might include airlines revising pricing strategies and governments exploring tax reforms. Additionally, neighboring countries and competing carriers may seek to capitalize on the push for affordability by introducing new routes and partnerships to improve accessibility.
“The bottom line is that we can achieve much more if we work together. We have all the resources and capabilities we need,” Kagame asserted, urging collective action to overcome these challenges.
Promoting Inclusion and Innovation
Beyond cost reduction, Kagame underscored the importance of empowering women and girls to pursue careers in aviation. He argued that inclusive frameworks are essential not only for job creation but also for driving innovation within the sector. Hosting the Aviation Africa Summit for the fourth time, Rwanda has positioned itself as a leader in showcasing the rapid growth of Africa’s aviation industry and the potential for technology and partnerships to accelerate progress.
As Africa’s skies become increasingly busy, Kagame’s remarks illuminate both the vast opportunities and the complex challenges facing the continent’s aviation sector. His call for coordinated solutions highlights the critical need to make air travel accessible to all Africans, thereby unlocking the full potential of the continent’s economic and social integration.

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