Emmanuel OchayiThe Nigerian government has announced plans to review Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) with 37 African countries, aimed at enhancing air transportation liberalization and trade facilitation across the continent.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), speaking at the 24th anniversary of the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) Day event in Abuja, emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to implementing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
He highlighted the significance of air transport liberalization in boosting intra-Africa trade, citing its current standing at 14.4% of total African exports.
“SAATM is a vital initiative to amplify intra-Africa trade, tourism, and substantially cut the continent’s trade deficit by 51%,” Keyamo stated, acknowledging the 34.7% rise in African airlines’ passenger traffic but stressing the continent’s modest 2.1% global passenger market share.
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He further outlined Nigeria’s dedication to SAATM through the SAATM-Project Implementation Pilot (SAATM-PIP) and directed the revision of BASA with African SAATM signatories, aligning them with the Yamoussoukro Decision’s provisions and reciprocity principles.
Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu, echoed the sentiment, labeling SAATM as a catalyst for the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, facilitating the movement of people and goods across the continent.
Nuhu emphasized the role of SAATM in promoting continental trade, underscoring its potential to bridge transportation gaps and bolster economic growth through improved connectivity among African nations.
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