Aviation experts convened on December 5, in Lusaka for the 3rd Programme Steering Committee (PSC) meeting of the Support to Air Transport Sector Development (SATSD) Programme. The meeting, which followed a two-day session of the Technical Working Group (TWG), focused on addressing the progress of the €8 million programme funded by the European Union (EU).

The SATSD programme, which was signed in December 2020, covers 29 Member States across COMESA, EAC, IGAD, IOC, and SADC. It is seen as a key initiative in advancing Africa’s Agenda 2063 and achieving the goal of a Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), a flagship project of the African Union (AU) essential for regional integration.

In his opening remarks, COMESA Assistant Secretary General Dr. Mohammed Kadah expressed concern over the slow pace of programme implementation, calling for a reassessment of the strategy to ensure measurable outcomes.

“The pace of programme implementation has been less than desired, and it is now imperative to reassess our strategy to deliver results. This is especially critical as we need to demonstrate value for money in anticipation of the requested for a no-cost extension,” Dr. Kadah stated via a virtual speech.

The programme, which was originally slated for completion by the end of this month, has faced delays, with only 40% of the budget absorbed so far. Key performance indicators remain at baseline levels, with several planned interventions still pending.

Mr Massimo Bonannini, Head of Infrastructure at the European Union Delegation to Zambia and COMESA, voiced concern over the lack of progress. He emphasized that the programme, which has yet to be fully implemented, is unlikely to meet its targets within the original timeframe.

“The EU is currently evaluating the possibility of extending the programme by two years, as the one-year extension proposed by the project steering committee will not be sufficient to achieve the expected results,” Bonannini explained.

The SATSD programme is a critical component of Africa’s air transport sector development, aiming to reduce barriers to regional air connectivity and foster economic integration across the continent.

As the EU considers an extension, all eyes are now on the programme’s ability to overcome its current challenges and deliver the outcomes necessary to support Africa’s ambitious transport and economic goals.