The Head of State delivered his remarks at the opening of the 9th edition of the Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition in Kigali on Thursday, September 4, 2025.
'Since its inception, the Aviation Africa Summit has been pivotal in showing how much growth Africa's aviation industry has experienced in a very short time,' President Kagame said, welcoming participants from across the continent and beyond.
'With the exhibitors and sponsors present, we also see how much more potential the aviation sector has to offer.'
Highlighting Rwanda's innovative partnerships, President Kagame pointed to the collaboration with Zipline, which has been delivering urgent medical supplies to health facilities via drones for over a decade.
'This technology does not only save time; it also saves lives,' he said, noting plans to expand the service to urban deliveries and support emerging sectors like e-commerce.
President Kagame also celebrated a landmark moment for African aviation, witnessing the continent's first-ever autonomous air taxi flight at the summit.
'We are very happy to be part of this demonstration and look forward to seeing what will come next,' he said.
President Kagame underscored the need for investments in a robust and dynamic aviation sector, pointing to a growing middle class, increasing tourism, and projected doubling of passenger traffic across the continent in the coming years.
President Kagame called for stronger collaboration with the African Union and African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) to realise 'one sky and free movement' across Africa, noting Rwanda's policy allowing visa-free entry for all African nationals.
'We have all the resources and capabilities we need,' he said, stressing that collaboration, innovation, and policy reforms are key to making travel more accessible and affordable.
Minister of Infrastructure Jimmy Gasore also welcomed participants, stressing Rwanda's strategic role as a hub for aviation innovation and future air mobility.
'For Rwanda, aviation is not just a mode of transport; it is a strategic enabler of development,' he said, highlighting the integration of the Africa Drone Forum into the summit.
The two-day summit, hosted by the Government of Rwanda alongside the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority, RwandAir, and Rwanda Airports Company, opened at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre under the theme, 'Collaborating to Unlock Africa's Aviation Growth.'
The summit brings together senior government officials, airline CEOs, Air Chiefs, and industry professionals to discuss key sectoral priorities, including sustainable aviation fuels, advanced air mobility technologies, and airport infrastructure development.
Rwanda is positioning itself as a leader in aviation excellence, investing in major infrastructure projects like the new Kigali International Airport in Bugesera and supporting technological innovation to strengthen the continent's aviation ecosystem. The previous edition of the summit was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2024.
The Kigali gathering aims to transform policy discussions into practical actions, fostering collaboration that can help Africa fully realise its aviation potential.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
