Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Conakry, Cape Verde, and Gambia.

The 18th plenary session of the Banjul Accord Group (BAG) in Abuja has brought together aviation leaders from Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Conakry, Cape Verde, and Gambia to reaffirm their commitment to the swift and effective implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). The SAATM is a critical component of the African Union's Agenda 2063, which aims to boost intra-African trade, tourism, and economic growth by making air travel more accessible and affordable across the continent.

Festus Keyamo, Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, underscored the importance of SAATM in improving connectivity and reducing travel costs. Adefunke Adeyemi, the Secretary-General of the African Civil Aviation Council (AFCAC), emphasized the necessity for BAG member states to integrate SAATM's principles into their national policies and strengthen regulatory bodies. This will be essential for ensuring that the continent's aviation sector can meet the increasing demands of the regional and international travel market.

The SAATM seeks to eliminate barriers to air travel by allowing African airlines to operate freely across the continent without the need for restrictive bilateral agreements. This liberalization is expected to increase competition, lower prices, and provide more flight options for passengers. Additionally, it will enable African airlines to expand their operations and enhance their global competitiveness.

To achieve these objectives, the BAG is focusing on strategies such as providing technical and financial support to countries in need of assistance in meeting the required aviation standards, as well as capacity-building programs for aviation professionals. The group is also collaborating with regional and international bodies like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to ensure Africa's integration into the global transport network.

The successful implementation of SAATM is contingent upon the harmonization of policies, regulatory frameworks, and infrastructure across the continent. While some countries have advanced aviation sectors, others are still developing, creating an uneven playing field that the BAG aims to address through collective efforts and support.

The plenary session serves as a call to action for BAG members, emphasizing the importance of aligning national policies with SAATM's objectives and fostering a more integrated and sustainable African aviation market. The commitment of these countries to this vision represents a significant step towards a more interconnected and economically prosperous continent.