Togo’s President Gnassingbé Praises Kagame’s Efforts to Unite Africans
President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé of Togo has commended Rwandan President Paul Kagame and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo for attending the 2026 African Air Transport Convention and Exhibition, which took place in Lomé on Monday.
In a message shared on X on Tuesday, President Gnassingbé described Kagame and Obasanjo as key advocates of African unity and regional integration.
“I sincerely thank my brother and friend, President Paul Kagame, as well as former President Olusegun Obasanjo, for being in Lomé for the official opening of the 2026 African Air Transport Convention and Exhibition. Their continued commitment to African unity and integration is of great value to this gathering,” he wrote.
Gnassingbé stressed the strategic importance of Africa’s airspace, saying it should not be viewed merely as a transit corridor but as a critical driver of mobility, trade, competitiveness, and the continent’s sovereignty.
“Africa’s skies remain a powerful tool for economic transformation and for accelerating opportunities for our youth,” he said, adding that a more connected Africa would be stronger, more prosperous, and better positioned to shape its own future.
Speaking at the event, President Kagame highlighted Rwanda’s visa-free policy for all African nationals, noting that it has significantly boosted trade and tourism. He encouraged other African countries to adopt similar measures to facilitate the movement of people across the continent.
Kagame also emphasized that the success of Africa’s common market depends on the effective implementation of harmonized regulations and policies across member states. He noted that the necessary regulatory institutions already exist and called on all countries to fully support them, including in the area of visa policies.
