He made the remarks on Monday, June 15, 2026, while participating in the African Air Transport Convention & Expo, taking place in Lomé, Togo, from June 15 to 19, 2026.
The conference is organized jointly by the African Civil Aviation Commission and the African Union.
It brings together ministers responsible for transport, heads of civil aviation authorities, airline executives, and airport officials.
Industry leaders, investors, and partners involved in the aviation sector are also attending the event.
During his address, President Kagame stressed that a common market can only function effectively if regulations and rules are respected across different countries.
He noted that the institutions responsible for overseeing and coordinating these efforts already exist, and what remains is for all countries to support them. He added that the same commitment should apply to visa policies.
Rwanda has been implementing its visa-free policy for Africans for nearly eight years.
The initiative has produced tangible results across various sectors, including attracting investment and boosting tourism revenues.
In 2025, Rwanda registered 799 investment projects worth $2.62 billion, up from 612 projects recorded in 2024.
Tourism revenues reached $685 million in 2025, compared to $647 million in 2024, representing a 6% increase. The growth has been attributed, in part, to government measures such as the visa-free policy for African nationals.
President Kagame said, “In Rwanda, we removed this particular barrier because we wanted people to visit, connect, and discover opportunities. As we all know, it was the right thing to do. We have witnessed stronger business activity, growing tourism, and expanded air travel destinations.”
He emphasized that Rwanda’s experience has demonstrated that cooperation and openness are essential pillars for aviation-driven development.
“No region can reach its full potential while its constituent parts remain disconnected. Air connectivity unlocks countless opportunities,” he said.
The conference aims to accelerate the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), an African Union initiative designed to eliminate remaining barriers to air transport across the continent and strengthen cooperation in the sector.
Participants are also discussing ways to build a stronger and more integrated air transport industry throughout Africa.
On the sidelines of the event, President Kagame is expected to hold talks with the President of the Council of Ministers of Togo, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé.
The previous edition of the African air transport conference was held in Kigali on May 4–5, 2025.
