SAATM to create 300 000 jobs

International relations / Africa news

More than two million jobs will be created on the continent through the Single African Air Transport Market.

 

The launch of a Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) is expected to create 300 000 direct and two million indirect jobs on the continent.

“With preparations continuing on schedule, the launch of the SAATM will spur more opportunities to promote trade cross-border investments in the production and service industries, including tourism, resulting in the creation of an additional 300 000 direct and two million indirect jobs contributing immensely to the integration and socio-economic growth of the continent,” said African Union (AU) Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Amani Abou-Zeid.

The SAATM was launched at the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as part of the first AU Agenda 2063 project.

Commissioner Abou-Zeid said the aviation industry currently supports eight million jobs in Africa and SAATM was created with the aim of enhancing connectivity on the continent.

“SAATM was created with the aim of enhancing connectivity and ensuring that the industry plays a more prominent role in the global economy and significantly contributes to the AU’s Agenda 2063,” said Commissioner Abou-Zeid.

So far, 23 African countries out of 55 have subscribed to the SAATM and 44 African countries signed the Yamoussoukro Decision.

“The African Union Commission, under the leadership and personal commitment of Moussa Faki Mahamat, has been playing a key coordinating role in the establishment of the SAATM and advocacy to AU Member States, who have not yet committed to the solemn commitment, to do so,” said the Commissioner.

African countries urged to open their skies

The African Union Commission (AUC), the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) are also advising African countries to open their skies for enhancement of connectivity and efficiency of air services in the continent.

“As the first of the 12 African Union’s Agenda 2063 flagship projects such to be launched, the implementation of SAATM will pave the way for other flagship projects as the African Passport and enabling the Free Movement of People, the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA),” Commissioner Abou-Zeid stressed.

The declaration on the establishment of a SAATM, was adopted by the African Union Assembly in January 2015.

Immediately thereafter, 11 AU member states declared their commitment to establish a SAATM through full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision of 1999.

The Yamoussoukro Decision of 1999 provides for full liberalisation of market access between African States, free exercise of traffic rights, elimination of restrictions on ownership and full liberalisation of frequencies, fares and capacities.

To date, 23 Member States that have adhered to the commitment are: Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Togo and Zimbabwe.