NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya has stepped up its push to align aviation and tourism as a unified economic engine, as it positions itself as a strategic gateway to Africa and a model for integrated policy development on the continent.
During the 2nd UN Tourism and ICAO Africa Ministerial Summit in Luanda, Angola, Principal Secretary for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Teresia Mbaika, reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to seamless connectivity, open skies, and inclusive infrastructure that supports the twin pillars of air transport and tourism.
“Kenya is fully committed to strengthening the link between the aviation and tourism sectors to foster job creation, drive investment, and boost destination competitiveness,” said Mbaika.
“The recent announcement by Kenya’s President that citizens from all African countries can now access Kenya visa-free is a demonstration of our commitment as a country.”
The summit, themed around unlocking aviation and tourism as drivers of Africa’s transformation, brought together ministers, industry regulators, and policymakers from across the continent.
Key discussions focused on dismantling regulatory bottlenecks, improving regional mobility, and facilitating cross-border partnerships.
Kenya used the platform to showcase policy reforms, including investments in efficient immigration processing, enhanced post-arrival connectivity, and universal accessibility features at airports.
Mbaika also held talks with ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano, who lauded Kenya’s creation of a dedicated aviation and aerospace department as a bold step in defining aviation as a national development pillar.
“The creation of a dedicated aviation and aerospace department is a clear demonstration of Kenya’s bold vision and recognition of aviation as a national development pillar,” said Sciacchitano.
In bilateral discussions, Kenya and Angola agreed to review their Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), pursue technical cooperation in regulation and training, and explore reciprocal visa regimes to enhance trade and tourism flows.
According to the government,Kenya is currently evaluating its air transport market access strategy to ensure that it reflects actual demand and maximizes sector-wide economic benefits.
