Stakeholders in the aviation, mobility, logistics, and maritime sectors are set to explore strategies to improve connectivity, infrastructure, and technology across Africa’s transportation ecosystem as part of efforts to boost trade and global competitiveness on the continent.
Summit to Address Connectivity Challenges
The discussions will take place at a summit with the theme: ‘Powering Africa’s Connectivity: Aviation, Maritime and Mobility Innovations as Catalysts for Trade and Global Competitiveness.’ The event, scheduled for November 5, 2026, in Lagos, is expected to attract key government agencies, transport regulators, airlines, maritime institutions, technology firms, infrastructure developers, investors, and trade stakeholders from across Africa and beyond.
President of Aspire West Africa, Dr. Emmanuel Bernards, in a statement, said the summit would serve as a high-level platform for stakeholders to address the persistent challenges that are slowing growth in Africa’s transportation and logistics sectors.
Importance of Transport Integration
According to Bernards, Africa’s economic growth and competitiveness will largely depend on the continent’s ability to strengthen transport integration, embrace technology, and develop efficient connectivity systems that support regional and international trade. He warned that failure to improve transport systems and infrastructure could further hinder Africa’s development and competitiveness in the global economy.
Bernards explained that the summit would also focus on integrated transport systems, smart mobility, digital innovation, logistics efficiency, trade facilitation, and infrastructure development as African nations position themselves for greater participation in global commerce. He noted that participants from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, South Africa, and other African countries are expected at the event.
Summit Highlights
Bernards added that the summit would feature ministerial and executive panel sessions, aviation and maritime leadership dialogues, smart mobility discussions, technology and innovation showcases, infrastructure and investment sessions, logistics and trade engagements, exhibitions, networking opportunities, strategic partnership meetings, and the GAMMAStars Awards.
Bernards further stated that discussions at the summit would cover regional air connectivity, airport modernisation, aviation technology, maritime infrastructure and port efficiency, smart mobility systems, logistics and cargo connectivity, digital transformation, Artificial Intelligence integration, sustainable transport development, infrastructure financing, and opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
