African Aviation Growth Hindered by Policy, Regulatory Gaps

The Chief Executive Officer of Vivajets, Chukwuerika Achum, expressed strong confidence in the long-term prospects of Africa’s aviation sector during the Africa Financial Summit (AFIS 2025) in Morocco. Despite this optimism, Achum emphasized that significant policy and structural barriers continue to slow the industry's development. His remarks underscored the critical need for unified reforms to unlock the continent's full aviation potential.

Achum detailed several key challenges, including the lack of policy harmonization, insufficient regulatory clarity, and a pervasive low level of financial trust among African operators. He pointed out that while European operators often receive 30-day credit terms, African counterparts are frequently required to pay upfront, creating a significant imbalance. Furthermore, he criticized visa restrictions imposed on African airline crews, citing instances where Nigerian crews still need visas for countries like Morocco, despite International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 9 provisions for crew movement facilitation.

Operational inefficiencies also stem from inconsistent regulatory processes, such as delayed landing and overflight permits that can take up to 72 hours for intra-African flights without clear criteria. High insurance premiums for African-based aircraft and unfavorable currency conversions further inflate operational costs, making air travel within the continent more expensive and less competitive. These factors collectively hinder the seamless movement of people and goods, impacting economic integration and growth.

To address these systemic issues, Achum called for unified aviation reforms, advocating for robust support from African governments, regulators, and financial institutions. He stressed that standardizing aviation regulations, enhancing insurance capacity, and simplifying cross-border payment systems are essential steps to boost efficiency and improve the competitiveness of Africa's commercial aviation sector. Such reforms are vital to transform Africa's skies into a unifying network rather than a divisive barrier.