In a visionary step towards realizing the objectives of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), ministers of transport from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ghana, Gambia, Nigeria, and Cape Verde have convened in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, to discuss the feasibility of establishing a regional airline under the Banjul Accord Group (BAG) States framework, with a strategic focus on leveraging the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
The high-level meeting marks a critical moment in Africaโs drive to transform the aviation industry into a tool for integration, economic growth, and improved connectivity across the continent. The ministers agreed that a jointly owned BAG States Airline, driven by private sector investment, would not only enhance regional air links but also serve as a model for sustainable development within the framework of the African Unionโs Agenda 2063.
Representing the Republic of Liberia was Hon. Sirleaf Ralph Tyler, Minister of Transport, who reaffirmed Liberiaโs commitment to advancing regional aviation as a pillar of economic empowerment and trade facilitation. Sierra Leone was represented by Hon. Festus Keyamo, while Guineaโs delegation was led by Hon. Ousmane Gaoual Diallo. The Republic of Gambia was represented by Hon. Ebrima Sillah, Ghana by Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpu, and Cape Verde by Dr. Jose Luis Sa Nogueira. Nigeriaโs participation further strengthened the initiativeโs continental weight.
The ministers acknowledged the enormous untapped potential within the aviation sector and emphasized the importance of harnessing collective political will, regional cooperation, and private capital to build a commercially viable airline that reflects the aspirations of the African people. The proposed BAG States Airline is expected to improve intra-African travel, reduce flight costs, and provide efficient, safe, and competitive air services within and beyond the region.
The initiative aligns closely with the SAATM, which seeks to liberalize air transport markets in Africa by removing restrictions on market access for airlines of signatory countries, thereby boosting air connectivity, tourism, commerce, and regional integration.
A joint communiquรฉ issued at the close of the meeting underscored the urgency of developing a feasibility roadmap that outlines the legal, financial, and institutional structures necessary for the successful establishment of the airline. The ministers also called for the formation of a high-level technical committee to consult with aviation experts, regulators, and private investors to ensure that the BAG States Airline becomes a beacon of African aviation excellence.
The historic meeting concluded with a strong pledge of unity and collaboration among the BAG member states, signaling a renewed commitment to elevating Africaโs aviation industry and enhancing the movement of people and goods across the continent.
โAfrica must rise through the skies,โ stated one minister, echoing the shared vision of a new era in African transport.
