RwandAir CEO Yvonne Makolo highlighted Africa’s aviation challenges, citing high costs, fragmented markets, and the need for a unified air transport system to boost economic integration, as reported by Allafrica and Newtimes.
RwandAir Chief Executive Officer Yvonne Makolo has sounded the alarm on Africa’s aviation crisis, arguing that high costs and fragmented markets are stifling economic integration and limiting the continent’s potential. The fundamental thing is for governments and everybody to understand that aviation is not a luxury. It's a necessity for our people on this continent,
she said, emphasizing that affordable air connectivity is critical for enabling movement of people, businesses, and capital across borders.
The Cost of Flying: A Barrier to Integration
We are all fighting for this tiny piece of the pie, because we're putting all these barriers to it,
she said. Before you even put the RwandAir fare, we have between $100 and, if you move to Central Africa, $200, $300 in West Africa already on the ticket,
she explained, citing additional airport taxes, ground-handling charges, and overflight fees.
The CEO also criticized visa restrictions and limited fifth-freedom rights, which prevent airlines from operating efficiently across the continent. If we just remove this and understand we need to get our people moving within the continent, trading with each other, remove visas, so that we can roll that pie to a much bigger one,
she said. These barriers, she argued, make travel extremely expensive
and hinder business, tourism, and education opportunities for Africans.
The Case for a Single African Aviation Market
Makolo called for stronger implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), which aims to liberalize air travel across the continent. We've signed SAATM. We just need to implement it correctly,
she said. The initiative, she argued, could increase connectivity and create a larger aviation market by removing restrictions on airline operations. This would help with the biggest challenge we face in Africa outside of the pandemic, which is cost,
she added, noting that open skies would drive down prices and improve standards through competition.
The CEO highlighted Rwanda’s success in leveraging government policies to support aviation, including visa openness and infrastructure investments. The removal of taxes on jet fuel is an example of policies that can help reduce operating costs,
she said. However, she stressed that systemic challenges persist. Operating within the African continent as an airline is a huge, huge challenge,
she acknowledged, pointing to the need for governments to treat connectivity as an economic necessity.
Gender Diversity and Industry Reforms
Beyond infrastructure, Makolo addressed gender diversity in the aviation sector. While IATA’s 25by2025 initiative aims to improve female representation by 25%, she argued progress remains slow. Even so, we are not moving fast enough,
she said, noting that aviation is “male-dominated” compared to Rwanda’s 61% female parliamentary representation and over 50% female cabinet. There is no good reason for aviation to stand out as a male-dominated industry,
she asserted, calling for proactive measures to support women in leadership roles.
RwandAir’s growth strategy includes expanding routes and doubling its fleet within five years. The airline has already launched services to Lubumbashi and Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, while planning to operate flights to Doha, Qatar, next month. Makolo also emphasized the role of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which she said could boost intra-African trade by over 50% in its first year.
The Path Forward: Policy and Implementation
Makolo’s remarks align with broader calls for policy reforms. Achieving these ambitions will require African governments to treat connectivity as an economic necessity,
she said, urging leaders to prioritize aviation as a driver of trade, investment, and employment.
The CEO’s warnings come as IATA reports a moderate rebound in passenger demand, driven by domestic markets. However, international traffic remains stalled due to border closures and quarantine mandates. Now, more than ever we need a single African aviation market,
she emphasized, stating that the time for talking is over and we must get on with the implementation.
For Africa to unlock its aviation potential, Makolo argued, governments must act decisively. Aviation can support trade, investment, tourism and employment, particularly in a continent with a large and growing young population,
she said. The challenge, she concluded, is not just about flying more—it’s about ensuring that air travel becomes a catalyst for economic transformation.
