Morocco-Rwanda Air Services Agreement Set To Boost African Connectivity

Morocco and Rwanda have signed a bilateral air services agreement that is set to boost air connectivity and intra-African trade between the two countries.

The agreement was finalized Sept. 25 on the sidelines of the 42nd International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) General Assembly in Montreal. Rwanda’s ICAO representative Prosper Higiro and Moroccan Transport Minister Abdessamad Kayouh signed the deal.

The two nations aim to intensify bilateral cooperation in aviation, while also promoting the exchange of expertise in air safety and security.

For Morocco, which intends to strengthen its national carrier’s footprint across the continent, the agreement opens new service prospects into East Africa. Flag carrier Royal Air Maroc serves nearly 27 African countries every day with a frequency of 600 flights per week.

Kayouh said part of the ministry’s strategy is “to double the number of passengers from the current 40 million to 80 million by 2030.”

Rwanda’s Higiro described the agreement as “a step that opens up new opportunities for cooperation in civil aviation,” saying that it will support the growth of RwandAir and the development of the new Bugesera International Airport near Kigali, which is expected to handle up to 14 million passengers annually once completed.