• Political hesitation and protectionism are slowing down Africa’s open skies project

• Only 37 out of 54 countries have signed the agreement, and even fewer have acted on it

• Poor infrastructure, weak local airlines, and costly fees keep air travel disconnected

The plan to create a single African air transport market is facing major delays, and according to Abderahmane Berthé, Secretary General of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), one of the biggest reasons is a lack of political will. In a recent interview with Ecofin Agency, Berthé said many governments are reluctant to open their skies, largely for reasons tied to national pride and sovereignty.

For some countries, having a national airline remains a powerful symbol; even when that airline is not financially viable. Berthé explained that governments often hesitate when they realize liberalization could expose their carriers to outside competition. Even if the state lacks the money to properly support its airline, it will sometimes choose to keep it alive at any cost, fearing that an open market could drive it out of business.

This mindset has left Africa’s skies fragmented, while other parts of the world are moving toward alliances, mergers, and stronger airline networks.

Some countries also worry about security. In politically unstable regions such as the Horn of Africa; Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan; governments are cautious about giving open access to their airspace.

So far, only 37 of Africa’s 54 countries have signed the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) agreement. Even fewer have followed through with real steps to implement it. But for the project to truly work, all African nations need to participate. If a flight route passes over a country that is not part of the deal, the airline may need to fly around it; lengthening travel time and raising fuel costs.

Many governments are also held back by other agreements, including bilateral or regional pacts within blocs like ECOWAS and SADC. These older deals often contain clauses that contradict SAATM’s goals. As a result, countries still apply limits on flight frequencies, reject traffic rights, or impose high taxes that make operations more expensive.

Problems go beyond politics

Even if governments were fully on board, the project would still face real challenges on the ground. Infrastructure is one of the biggest. Many African airports do not meet international standards. Some are outdated. Others lack the capacity to support growing passenger traffic.

This issue has been flagged by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which lists infrastructure as one of six major roadblocks in its “Focus Africa” initiative.

Intra-African flight connections also remain weak. Today, it is often easier; and sometimes cheaper; to fly between two African capitals by going through Europe than by taking a direct route. IATA says only about 20% of flights on the continent are between African cities, a serious obstacle to deeper regional integration.

Another major issue is the weakness of local airlines. More than 75% of international passengers in Africa fly with foreign carriers. Many African airlines struggle with poor management, large debts, or aging fleets that cannot compete with better-equipped international rivals.

Adding to the problem are the heavy fees charged at many airports, which end up being passed on to travelers through high ticket prices.

Several industry groups; including IATA, ICAO, and AFRAA; have offered recommendations. They urge African governments to commit more fully to opening up the skies and to end outdated protectionist practices. But progress has been slow, partly due to a lack of legal frameworks needed to make such changes stick.

AFRAA suggests reshaping the airline sector by following a model like that of Ethiopian Airlines. The idea is to create a strong main carrier surrounded by regional subsidiaries that work in sync. Over time, this could lead to five or six large airlines with the scale to compete globally.

However, that would require mergers and a much more unified regulatory system; something Africa still lacks. AFRAA also points to examples within ECOWAS, where plans are underway to cut airport security fees by 25% and eliminate certain taxes starting January 1, 2026, to help bring down ticket prices.

For its part, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) believes the vision needs to go even further. It wants African countries to ease visa restrictions, making stopovers simpler for travelers, and to relax rules on traffic rights, flight frequencies, and fare structures.

Until these changes are made, the dream of a truly connected African airspace will remain stuck on the runway.