Ghana is one of 17 African countries that have set in motion the long-awaited Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) that aims to consolidate the aviation market at continental level.The other countries are Senegal, Togo, Zambia, Niger, Gabon, Namibia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, South Africa, Morocco, Mozambique, and Namibia.

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The Single African Air Transport Sector (SAATM), which aspires to unify the aviation market on a continental scale, has been launched by 17 African nations, including Ghana.The other nations are Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Senegal, Togo, Zambia, Niger, Gabon, Namibia, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Namibia. South Africa, Morocco, and Mozambique round up the group.

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These 35 African nations that have signed the SAATM represent a tiny majority of the continent.The Yamoussoukro Decision Day (YD Day), which was observed on November 14 in Dakar, Senegal, at the national, regional, and continental levels, was the occasion for the 17 nations to agree to this trial project.

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According to the African Union (AU), the YD Day "entered into force in 2000 following its endorsement by Heads of State and Government of the African Union for the liberalisation of scheduled and non-scheduled air transport services within Africa and with an overall aim of removing restrictions on traffic rights, capacity, and frequency between city pairs."The SAATM the AU said is within the context of the continent's Agenda 2063.

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"Africa's time has come. The full implementation of the YD and the operationalisation of the SAATM at the continental level should not be delayed any longer. The benefits for the continent are undeniable," said Victoire Sidémého Dzidudu, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Togo.

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The Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) is a flagship project of the African Union Agenda 2063, an initiative of the African Union to create a single unified air transport market in Africa to advance the liberalization of civil aviation in Africa and act as an impetus to the continent’s economic integration agenda.

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SAATM will ensure aviation plays a major role in connecting Africa, promoting its social, economic and political integration and boosting intra-Africa trade and tourism as a result.

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