20/11/2025
At the Luanda Financing Summit, the World Bank outlined its position on closing Africa’s aviation infrastructure gaps. Speaking on the SAATM-focused panel, Jean-François Marteau highlighted that the 2023 African Union–AFCAC–ICAO gap analysis identified 61 gaps across 41 countries and confirmed that the overall financing requirement, while significant for individual states, is manageable at a continental level.
Key themes included the need for coordinated, multi-country financing approaches, opportunities for PPP-driven airport development, and the role of IFC and MIGA in structuring bankable aviation projects. Marteau also emphasised that high taxes and charges remain a major barrier to airline growth and called for continued progress on AU-led reforms.
World Bank is working with African partners on air cargo and trade route analysis under the AfCFTA framework, and supports the creation of structured, annual reporting to track reforms, investments and measurable progress.
AUDA NEPAD
https://africanpilot.africa/luanda-financing-summit-the-world-banks-perspective-on-closing-africas-aviation-infrastructure-gaps/