The bustling city of Lomé is set to become the epicenter of African aviation innovation from June 15 to 19, 2026, as it hosts the landmark African Air Transport Convention and Exhibition. This high-profile gathering will bring together key stakeholders to chart the future trajectory of the continent’s aviation sector.
Spearheaded by the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) in collaboration with the African Union Commission and under the distinguished patronage of Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, the event aims to fast-track the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) while deepening continental integration within the aviation industry.
With over 500 delegates expected, the convention will convene an influential assembly including government representatives, aviation regulators, airline executives, airport managers, investors, development institutions, and international partners.
The conference will welcome prominent African leaders such as Lerato Dorothy Mataboge, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy at the African Union, Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO of the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD.
High-level participation will also include delegates from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Airports Council International Africa (ACI Africa), International Air Transport Association (IATA), representatives of the Togolese government, and senior members of AFCAC.
The five-day program will unfold through a series of thematic sessions focusing on critical aspects of the aviation sector: market integration, air cargo and corridor development, investment and infrastructure, technological innovation, and strategic partnerships.
Key discussion points will include strategies to enhance intra-African connectivity, reduce air travel costs, secure infrastructure financing, accelerate digital transformation, and promote the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels—all aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and AfCFTA objectives.
The convention is poised to deliver tangible outcomes, including the adoption of the Lomé Ministerial Declaration, the launch of the African Air Routes Development Platform (ARDP), and the establishment of new cooperative mechanisms and investment frameworks to create a more competitive and unified African air transport market.