On 15 June 2026, Rwandan president Paul Kagame arrived in Lomé for a highly strategic working visit. More than a mere protocol stop, the trip signals a major push to reshape the continent’s economic landscape. Behind the handshakes and official photos, Kagame and his Togolese counterpart, president Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, are tackling the urgent challenge of unifying Africa’s fragmented air transport sector.

Lomé summit: Paul Kagame and Faure Gnassingbé drive African aviation talks

This visit coincides with the opening of the 2026 African Air Transport Convention and Exhibition in Togo, which runs until 19 June and gathers the industry’s top decision-makers. Spearheaded by Togolese transport minister Dr Comla Kadje, the sector-wide gathering focuses on one ambitious goal: removing protectionist barriers to integrate continental markets. To that end, the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) has rolled out a high-level programme centred on the structural priorities of this unprecedented transition.

What is SAATM? The African single air transport market project

At the heart of the discussions is the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), a flagship initiative of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, launched in 2018 under the pan-African presidency of Paul Kagame. SAATM aims to liberalise Africa’s skies by deregulating services and opening the sector to cross-border competition.

To date, 33 African countries—including Togo and Rwanda—have formally joined the project. The ultimate goal is full implementation of the 1999 Yamoussoukro decision. Signatory states commit to removing market access restrictions, abolishing cross-ownership limits, and granting each other extended traffic rights ranging from first to fifth freedom. According to projections by the African Development Bank (AfDB), this single market should significantly lower ticket prices, boost passenger traffic, and generate massive economic returns.

Kigali-Lomé axis: A historic partnership for regional integration

Beyond the aviation talks, this visit cements the strong diplomatic bond between Rwanda and Togo. In January 2025, president Faure Gnassingbé travelled to Kigali, where his discussions with Paul Kagame at Urugwiro Village laid the groundwork for enhanced cooperation in agriculture, trade, investment, and green finance.

The close collaboration between the Rwandan leader and the Togolese head of state—who is often tasked by the African Union with regional mediation—solidifies Lomé’s position as a key hub for continental integration.

Security and Agenda 2063: Beyond economics, the stability challenge

Additionally, the one-on-one meeting between the two leaders addressed a crucial dimension: peace and security in Africa. These are inseparable from economic prosperity. After all, the triple goal of SAATM—unifying transport, liberalising aviation, and easing the flow of goods and people—depends on a stable environment.

In short, the simultaneous presence of Paul Kagame and aviation industry leaders in Lomé signals an end to mere declarations. A new era of decisive action for Africa’s aerial and economic independence is unfolding in Togo.