{"id":109034,"date":"2025-09-04T15:02:36","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T15:02:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/kagame-criticises-expensive-air-travel-in-africa"},"modified":"2025-09-04T15:43:44","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T15:43:44","slug":"kagame-criticises-expensive-air-travel-in-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/policy\/kagame-criticises-expensive-air-travel-in-africa","title":{"rendered":"Kagame criticises expensive air travel in Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>President Paul Kagame has made a call for lowering the high cost of air travel across Africa, stating that flying should not remain a luxury reserved for the rich.<\/p>\n

Speaking at the opening of the 2025 Aviation Africa Summit in Kigali, Kagame underscored the need for a more inclusive and dynamic aviation sector\u2014one that fuels economic growth, connects people, and embraces innovation.<\/p>\n

As African skies become busier and its middle class expands, the President suggested that affordable air travel is not just a convenience, but a necessity for the continent\u2019s development.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor Africa, the vision is very clear: To invest in a stronger and more dynamic aviation sector as a necessary building block for economic growth,\u201d Kagame told hundreds of delegates who gathered at Kigali Convention Centre for the two-day summit.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith a growing middle class and increasing tourism, demand for air travel will only get stronger. The numbers speak for themselves. In the coming years, our senior traffic on our continent is expected to double,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

PICTORIAL: Kagame graces launch of self-flying electric air taxi<\/p>\n

At the continental level, the President pointed out that efforts have been made to open countries\u2019 skies through initiatives such as the Single Africa Air Transport Market.<\/p>\n

The African Continental Free Trade Area is also a key enabler of prosperity, he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cRwanda continues to play its part by putting in place conducive regulations and policies, and we encourage others to do the same. For example, we have removed visa restrictions for all African citizens,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Kagame interacts with exhibitors during the summit.<\/p>\n

Regarding infrastructure and logistics investments, he said Rwanda’s national carrier is also expanding its fleet, despite high operational costs and infrastructure gaps on the continent.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis makes the movement of people and the capital more expensive than it should. Travel should not only be for the rich,\u201d Kagame said.<\/p>\n

He underscored the need for working more closely with the continent\u2019s institutions, including the African Union and entities responsible for aviation growth so that they are strengthened and ensure they are fit for purpose, to play a central role in achieving the vision of ‘one sky’ and free movement on the continent.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bottom line is that we can achieve much more if we work together. We have all the resources and capabilities we need,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The President said that empowering women and girls to pursue careers in the aviation industry must also be a priority for the continent.<\/p>\n

He observed that if implemented successfully, these frameworks can create more jobs and a stronger foundation for innovation.<\/p>\n

Rwanda is hosting the Aviation Africa Summit for the fourth time.<\/p>\n

Kagame indicated that since its inception, the summit has been pivotal in showing how much growth Africa’s aviation industry has experienced in a very short time.<\/p>\n

Technology and partnerships<\/p>\n

Bringing together top aviation industry players, policymakers, regulators, and innovators, the event is held under the theme “Collaborating to unlock Africa’s growth \u2013 How can Africa deliver a sustainable aviation industry? ”<\/p>\n

It has attracted some 2,000 delegates and 120 exhibitors, including aerospace and aviation companies.<\/p>\n

Kagame said the African aviation industry has huge potential and that partnerships would be useful to accelerate growth.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to single out Rwanda’s partnerships with Zipline, which is represented here today. About a decade ago, we began working closely together to use drones for the delivery of urgent blood supplies to health facilities across our country. This technology does not only save time; it also saves lives,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur cooperation has been very successful, and together we are exploring how to extend it to urban deliveries. This is the foundation of key industries of the future, like e-commerce,\u201d he observed.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the President also attended the launch, in Kigali on September 4, of the first self-flying air taxi take to the skies, thanks to collaboration between the government and the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are very happy to be part of this demonstration and look forward to seeing what will come next,\u201d Kagame said.<\/p>\n

Delegates during a tour of the exhibition at the opening session of the two-day summit.<\/p>\n\r\n