The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), in collaboration with the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), has organised a 3-day regional workshop at Speke Resort Munyonyo focused on strengthening competition regulations in Africa’s air transport sector.
The workshop is a key step in operationalising the Single African Air Transport Market(SAATM) under the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD).
Funded by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) under the EU-funded project, the training aims to equip African aviation and competition regulators with tools to ensure fair market access, prevent anti-competitive practices, and protect consumers.
In his opening remarks, Fred K. Bamwesigye, the UCAA’s Director General revealed that the liberalisation of air transport under the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) has opened new opportunities for growth and connectivity across the continent.
Additionally, emphasised they must recognise a fundamental truth: Open skies must be matched with fair competition, saying, “Without strong competition frameworks, liberalisation can lead to market distortions, unfair practices, and reduced consumer confidence.”
He further highlighted that although Uganda is not yet a full member of SAATM, the country is taking deliberate and practical steps toward liberalization and regulatory readiness.
“As a signatory to the Yamoussoukro Decision, Uganda is already implementing key liberalisation measures, including; multiple designations of airlines, unlimited frequencies and capacity, and the granting of fifth freedom traffic rights on routes such as Entebbe/Nairobi and Entebbe/Bangui to airlines including RwandAir and Kenya Airways,” Bamwesigye said.
The UCAA’s Director General also reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to advancing a fair, transparent, and competitive aviation sector, and to joining SAATM as part of Africa’s broader integration agenda, adding, “We firmly believe that a well-regulated aviation market will play a vital role in driving Africa’s economic transformation.”
According to Octavio Oliveira, the Competition Regulation Expert of African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), 38 EU member states have so far joined the single African Air Transport market representing almost 80% of the intra African traffic flight, more than 124 new routes created, and the freedom penetration increased from 14.5% to 23%.
“Of course, it’s not the pace that we want, but we are progressing in implementation of SAATM. We have some barriers including visa restriction, the protection in some member states, and some infrastructure gaps, but what we are doing now with members states is advocating and promoting the single African market, because we know that with implementation of SAATM and the YD, Africa will benefit in a way of creating more jobs, attract more investment, and tourism which will contribute for the progress of the continent,” he said.
The effective implementation of competition regulation in African air transport markets is critical for ensuring that the liberalization objectives of SAATM translate into fair, transparent, and sustainable market development.
By strengthening the technical capacity of regulators and promoting harmonized regulatory approaches, this workshop will contribute directly to the credibility of the SAATM framework, improved investor and airline confidence in African aviation markets, and the broader objectives of African economic integration under Agenda 2063.
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