Lomé hosts key african aviation summit in june 2026

From 15 to 19 June 2026, Lomé will become the center of African aviation’s future as the host of the African Air Transport Convention and Exhibition. This landmark event, organized by the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to shape the trajectory of aviation across the continent.

Under the patronage of Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Togolese Republic, and in partnership with the African Union Commission, the summit aims to fast-track the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) while fostering deeper integration within the aviation sector.

More than 500 delegates are expected to attend, including government officials, aviation regulators, airline executives, airport managers, investors, development institutions, and international partners. High-level participation includes Lerato Dorothy Mataboge, African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy; Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA); and Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO of the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD.

Key international bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Airports Council International Africa (ACI Africa), and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) will also contribute to the discussions, alongside officials from the Togolese government and AFCAC.

The event’s five-day program will explore critical themes: market integration, freight and air corridor development, investment and infrastructure, technological innovation, and strengthened partnerships. Discussions will focus on enhancing intra-African connectivity, reducing air transport costs, financing infrastructure projects, accelerating digital transformation, and promoting sustainable aviation fuels—all aligned with the African Union Agenda 2063 and AfCFTA objectives.

The summit is poised to yield tangible outcomes, including the adoption of the Lomé Ministerial Declaration, the launch of the African Route Development Platform (ARDP), and the establishment of new investment and cooperation frameworks to build a more competitive and integrated African aviation market.