African Union Unveils $30 Billion Plan to Modernise Aviation Infrastructure.

The African Union (AU) has launched a 30 billion dollar initiative to overhaul the continent’s aviation infrastructure, with a focus on advancing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).

This was announced at the 3rd Financing Summit for Africa’s Infrastructure Development in Luanda.

Addressing a high-level panel on financing and modernising African civil aviation, Mataboge described aviation as a vital driver of continental integration and economic growth under Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

A joint AU study with the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and the World Bank estimates Africa requires $25–30 billion over the next decade to address critical gaps.

Passenger traffic is expected to surge from 160 million in 2024 to nearly 500 million by 2050.

The plan allocates $10 billion for airport upgrades and $8 billion for advanced communication, navigation, and meteorological systems.

The AU aims to leverage $10 billion in public funding to unlock $20 billion from private and institutional investors, working through development finance institutions and AUDA-NEPAD to align with SAATM and the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA).

The strategy incorporates technologies such as Airport Collaborative Decision-Making (A-CDM) and System-Wide Information Management (SWIM) for seamless airspace integration, alongside renewable energy solutions to meet global green standards and attract climate-focused capital.

The AU reaffirmed its commitment to building a modern, efficient, and sustainable aviation network to boost connectivity, trade, and global competitiveness across Africa.