By Chinelo Obogo
Director General of the Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA), Mrs. Paule Koki, has said that some African countries have not embraced the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) due to fears that large, well-established airlines could dominate the market and push out smaller national carriers.
Koki in an interview with Aviation & Allied Business Journal for their June/July 2025 edition, said though SAATM is a very promising initiative for the continent as it aims to liberalize air transport and improve connectivity between African countries, some African countries are understandably cautious about it and marginalisation fears soar.
“There are also challenges related to infrastructure, technical capacity and the need for stronger institutions to enforce competition rules and safety standards. But overall, with continued cooperation and political will, I believe the continent-and the CEMAC region in particular-will increasingly embrace SAATM for the long-term growth and sustainability of African aviation,” she said.
She also stated that the CEMAC region, comprising Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon, have signed the commitment to SAATM and are currently in the process of aligning their national policies with its principles. This involves reviewing bilateral air service agreements, improving regulatory frameworks, and working closely with regional institutions like AFCAC and the African Union to support implementation.
She added that CEMAC region has potential for air transport growth, but faces several structural and operational challenges but that there are some ‘quick wins-low-hanging fruits’ that can yield immediate results if addressed with political will and regional cooperation.
“Full and effective implementation across all CEMAC member states would open up the skies to increased connectivity, competition, and lower fares. The legal framework exists but we need harmonized and swift execution, starting with liberalising fifth freedom rights and simplifying bilateral agreements.
“Second, we should prioritise harmonising aviation policies and regulations within the CEMAC zone, especially concerning safety oversight, economic regulation, and facilitation procedures. A common regulatory approach would ease airline operations, reduce redundancies, and improve passenger experience. But we are proud to say that we have already adopt common safety regulations under our regional safety organization called ASSA-AC and based in Ndjamena, Chad.
“Another quick gain lies in investing in secondary airports and improving ground infrastructure. Many of these airports are underutilized but could serve as economic catalysts for remote regions if linked through reliable domestic and intra-regional air routes,” she said.