Yamoussoukro Decision Silver Jubilee Commemoration Holds Nov 28 in Brazzaville

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The commemoration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the landmark Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) on air transport liberalization in Africa will take place under the theme: “From Vision to Reality – The Benefits of Liberalization of Air Transport Market through SAATM Implementation” come Thursday in Brazzaville, Congo.

The 25th YD Day commemorative event is geared at accelerating progress toward a unified and thriving air transport market that boosts trade and fosters seamless air connectivity. The event, which includes a High-level Ministerial Working Group session, is jointly organized by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) on the sidelines of the AFCAC plenary being held from November 26 to 29 in Brazzaville.

To fulfill the objectives of the 1988 Yamoussoukro Declaration, African transport ministers adopted the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) in 1999 to liberalize Africa’s air transport market by removing restrictions on traffic rights, capacity, and frequency to foster seamless connectivity. However, its implementation has been constrained by numerous hurdles, prompting the 24th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly to establish the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) in 2015, as a flagship initiative of the AU Agenda 2063.

Since then, 37 AU Member States have committed to implementing the YD and SAATM, accounting for over 85% of intra-African traffic and covering 1.15 billion of Africa’s 1.37 billion people. This milestone event will reflect on the progress made, challenges overcome, and the road ahead to fully realize the vision of One African Sky. According to AfCAC, over 60 new intra-African routes have been launched and operated – 13 of which are 5th freedom traffic in line with the YD.

Among others, this year’s YD Day commemoration advocates the full implementation of the Decision and SAATM provisions, emphasizing their benefits for continental integration and economic growth; creating a marketplace for Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and helping SAATM states to align their Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs) with YD principles; as well as raising awareness of the advantages of air transport liberalization for African businesses and citizens.

AUC and AfCAC hope the 25th YD event will foster enhanced understanding among Member States and RECs of the opportunities and benefits associated with the liberalization of African air transport; greater awareness among the Africans and economic operators of the benefits of SAATM for improving living conditions and commercial exchanges within the continent; as well as motivate more AU Member States to sign the SAATM Solemn Commitment and implement it.

Key participants at the YD Silver Jubilee will include African aviation and transport ministers, heads of aviation bodies and Regional Economic Communities (RECs); Directors General of African Civil Aviation Authorities; Airlines CEOs; multilateral finance institutions like the African Development Bank (AfDB), World Bank, the Africa Export-Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK) as well as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

SAATM is one of Agenda 2063’s 15 flagship projects meant to accelerate Africa’s economic growth and development while promoting a common identity by celebrating Africa’s history and vibrant culture. These interconnected projects include the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA); the Integrated High-Speed Train Network as well as the African Passport and the Free Movement of People, among others.