President Paul Kagame has urged global investors and financial institutions to view Africa as “a strategic opportunity, not a risk,” saying the continent should be seen as a driver of growth rather than a high-risk destination.
Speaking at the African Air Transport Convention and Expo 2026 in Lomé, Kagame emphasised that Africa’s transformation depends not only on policy reforms but also on how capital is mobilised into key sectors such as aviation.
“Investment in Africa should not be viewed as a risk but as a strategic lever that drives economic growth,” he said.
Kagame called on development banks, sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors and private capital to play a stronger role in financing infrastructure needed to improve air connectivity, including airports, maintenance facilities and fuel supply chains.
He noted that financing alone is not sufficient, stressing that regulatory reforms and policy coordination must accompany investment to unlock the sector’s full potential.
The President highlighted persistent structural barriers in African aviation, including high taxes and fees on air travel, which he said remain among the highest globally.
He pointed out that such costs limit mobility, discourage investment and weaken trade links across the continent.
Kagame stressed the need for predictable and harmonised regulatory frameworks, arguing that a single aviation market can only function effectively when rules and standards are aligned across countries.
He described the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) as the right framework for integration but said it requires clear timelines and measurable outcomes to deliver results.
The President also cited Rwanda’s visa liberalisation policy as an example of how openness can stimulate economic activity.
“In Rwanda, we removed this particular barrier because we wanted people to visit, connect and discover opportunities,” he said, adding that the policy had contributed to increased business activity, tourism and expanded air links.
Kagame noted that Africa’s growing youth population will play a central role in driving future trade, innovation and mobility, making it essential for governments to create enabling conditions for development.
He underscored that Africa’s experience demonstrates openness and cooperation are powerful drivers of development, stressing that no region can reach its full potential while remaining fragmented.
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