Prime Minister Eduard Nugilente has called for accelerated innovation and cooperation across the aviation sector in Africa, saying this will keep the industry profitable.
At the 13th Air Stakeholders Convention and the opening of the second African Air Safety and Operations Summit ongoing in Kigali, the Prime Minister emphasized that Africa’s aviation future depends not only on technology but on how embraces innovation in funding, regulation and international cooperation.
Respond to the sustainability of the theme. collaboration. Ngirente argued that while the continent’s aviation industry is on a recovery path from Covid-19 pandemic fees, among other challenges, it reflects the path that Africa must take not only on its aviation sector but also on its broader economic development aspirations.
Also Read: African aviation industry forecasts to generate $200 million in profits in 2025
The three-day meeting brought together industry leaders for discussions, panels, networking and exhibitions focusing on the future of aviation in Africa.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the aviation industry in Africa is expected to generate $200 million in net profit in 2025, up from its estimated $0.1 million in 2024.
However, African airlines face the high cost and low trends of air travel in many home markets.
The key issue is that some economies lack the US dollar. This, in addition to infrastructure and connectivity challenges, hinders the expansion and performance of the aviation industry.
The Prime Minister praised Rwandare as a model of growth and resilience, citing the airline as currently connecting its 107 destinations with direct routes and codeshare agreements.
Also Read: How Protectionism hurts the aviation industry in Africa
“We are proud of the progress made by Rwandare connecting Africa to the world as one of the fastest growing airlines,” he said. “Their commitment not only strengthened the airline’s position, but also played a key role in inspiring the next generation of aviation professionals.”
Ngirente also praised airlines across the country for their investment in attracting nearly 2,000 applications for the Pilot Cadet program, a platform that inspires a new generation of aviation professionals.
“These trends reflect the future of aviation in Africa. This is a sector that continues to be strengthened despite many challenges. The opportunities before us outweigh the challenges, regardless of their size,” he noted.
The Prime Minister argued that Rwanda aims to become a regional hub of connections, trade and innovation, citing ongoing investments in airport infrastructure, including expanding Kigali International Airport, building a new international airport in Bugesala, and improving freight and logistics handling.
“These are not just transportation projects, they are catalysts for economic multipliers, trade, tourism and job creation. Rwandan ambitions do not exist in isolation. We all know that Africa’s growth is interconnected,” he said.
He emphasized that national efforts must align with local ambitions and encourage governments to support initiatives such as the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA).
“Integrated African airspace reduces costs, improves competition and unlocks economic opportunities across the continent.”
Possibility of unlocking
Yvonne Macolo, CEO of Rwandare, repeated the same sentiment, citing that African aviation is not just airlines.
“It’s about people. It’s about trade. It’s about unlocking possibilities. Your presence and participation ensures that this week’s conversations and meetings are robust, balanced and as comprehensive as possible for the continent and industry,” she told delegates at the Kigali Convention Centre.
Makoro claims that Africa is expected to become the second-largest aviation market by 2039, with more than 300 million new passengers heading towards the air every year.
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At the same time, she noted that African airlines still have only 20% of the traffic to and from the continent.
Africa has 17% of the world’s population, but today, in 2025, our continent accounts for 2.2% of the world’s global transportation.
“Many people in each country travel between countries rather than two-hour flights, primarily to get on a 13-hour and 14-hour bus, rather than a two-hour flight, due to costs. These gaps need to be closed.”
“Whether they are leveraging AI and cloud technology or not, Africa has the opportunity to define a new aviation paradigm, either researching in today’s presentation or jumping over legacy infrastructure through mobile-driven booking systems,” she added.
For Abdérahmane Berthe, only 10% of African citizens can pay for air transport, indicating a great potential for growth.
“In addition to regulatory policy challenges, airlines need to improve cooperation through dialogue agreements, code sharing and partnerships, while also reducing operational costs to make air travel more affordable for more Africans,” he said.
