AU Commissioner outlines $30 billion infrastructure investment plan for aviation

The African Union Commissioner for Infrastrcuture and Energy, Lerato D. Mataboge, African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, has announced an ambitious $30 billion investment plan to modernise the continent’s aviation infrastructure under the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). 

He was speaking during the high-level session on “Financing and Modernising African Civil Aviation Infrastructure to Promote Integrated Continental Airspace and Enable Free Movement Under SAATM,” at the III Financing Summit for Africa’s Infrastructure Development in Luanda.

Mataboge emphasised aviation’s pivotal role as both an engine of integration and a cornerstone of Africa’s economic transformation, a press release by the African Union (AU) said.

“Aviation is not merely a mode of transport,” Mataboge stated. “It is a strategic engine of continental integration and a core enabler of Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The Single African Air Transport Market will only succeed if we build the modern, safe, and efficient infrastructure that Africa’s growth demands.”

The press release said citing findings from a Continental Aviation Infrastructure Gap Analysis conducted with African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), International Civil Aviation Commission (ICAO), and the World Bank, Mataboge revealed that Africa needs between $25–$30 billion over the next decade to close critical aviation infrastructure gaps.

“Passenger traffic is projected to triple from 160 million in 2024 to nearly 500 million by 2050, intensifying the urgency for investment,” the AU official said.

Mataboge said key funding requirements include $10 billion for airport and aerodrome infrastructure and $8 billion for modernising communication, navigation, and meteorological systems.

“The AU’s strategy aims to mobilise $10 billion in catalytic public finance to attract an additional $20 billion in private and institutional investment. Through partnerships with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD), the AU is aligning investment priorities with SAATM and the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA),” the press release said.

The modernisation plan integrates cutting-edge technologies such as Airport Collaborative Decision-Making (A-CDM) and System-Wide Information Management (SWIM) to enable seamless continental airspace. It also incorporates renewable energy solutions at airports to attract green financing and advance sustainability goals.

“As we modernise African skies, we are doing so sustainably,” Mataboge said. “Every project we prepare is designed to meet global green standards, reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, and make African aviation an attractive asset class for the world’s growing pool of climate-focused capital.”

Mataboge reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to ensuring that “a modern, efficient, and sustainable aviation network” drives Africa’s economic integration, connectivity, and global competitiveness.

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 The African Union Commissioner for Infrastrcuture and Energy, Lerato D. Mataboge, African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, has announced…
The post AU Commissioner outlines $30 billion infrastructure investment plan for aviation appeared first on .