Nigeria should take a leading role in establishing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), according to World Trade Organisation Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Speaking remotely at the first Nigeria Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit (NAAIS) 2026 held Wednesday in Lagos, she urged Nigerian stakeholders to drive the continental aviation integration effort. The event, organised by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), brought together aviation investors, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss aircraft financing, leasing, and infrastructure development. Okonjo-Iweala emphasized that a unified air transport market across Africa would boost intra-African trade, enhance connectivity, and support economic growth. She noted that Nigeria, as Africa's largest economy, is well-positioned to influence regional policy and investment in aviation. The SAATM, a flagship project of the African Union's Agenda 2063, aims to liberalize air travel between African nations, allowing airlines to operate freely across borders. Despite its potential, adoption has been slow, with only a fraction of African countries fully implementing the framework. Okonjo-Iweala called for stronger political will and private sector engagement to overcome regulatory and financial barriers. She highlighted that improved air connectivity could significantly contribute to the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The Nigerian government has yet to announce specific measures to advance SAATM leadership, but the summit signals growing interest in aviation sector reform. Stakeholders are expected to present policy recommendations following the summit's deliberations.
When Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala calls on Nigeria to lead on SAATM, she is not just urging policy support — she is challenging the country to act as an economic catalyst for Africa. Nigeria has long treated aviation as a logistical concern, not a strategic lever for trade; embracing SAATM changes that calculus. If Lagos moves beyond talk and starts aligning regulations, financing, and bilateral agreements with the SAATM framework, it could unlock regional market access far beyond the skies.
