Over the next 20 years, Africa is expected to be the second-fastest growing aviation market in the world. Demand is strong and rising. Yet despite this potential, intra-African connectivity remains limited and often expensive.
Affordable travel is part of the challenge, but affordability goes beyond ticket prices. True connectivity depends on whether people have both the ability and the incentive to travel.
This is where policy choices matter.
Destination attractiveness, the development of regional tourism and visa openness all play a central role in shaping travel demand. For connectivity to thrive, people must be able to move easily across borders, and destinations must be accessible, efficient, and welcoming to regional travelers.
Encouragingly, progress is being made. According to the Africa Visa Openness Index, in 2025:
These are important gains but significant barriers remain. Nearly half of intra-African travel still requires a visa prior to departure, limiting spontaneous travel, constraining regional tourism, and weakening demand for short-haul routes.
A growing number of countries are demonstrating what is possible. Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Ghana—and most recently Togo—offer visa-free access to all African citizens. Where visa openness has improved, the benefits are clear: stronger tourism flows, more resilient route networks, and better utilization of regional air services. When borders open, opportunities follow.
Air connectivity is a catalyst for economic and social development. It links markets, enables trade, supports tourism, and creates jobs across the value chain. For many African economies, aviation is essential infrastructure that underpins growth and integration.
Strengthening air connectivity across Africa requires a coordinated approach: reducing regulatory barriers, improving visa openness, investing in infrastructure, and advancing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
By making it easier for people to travel, Africa can unlock the full benefits of aviation, boosting competitiveness, enhancing resilience, and accelerating economic development across the continent.
The path forward is clear: a more connected Africa begins with both open skies and open borders.
