| dc.description.abstract | The study investigates air transport liberalization in Africa. It notes that air transport liberalization in
Africa is hinged on the 1988 Yamoussoukro Declaration and the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision and
focuses on the latter. Among the positive impacts of the two instruments is the pressure they have
exerted on the African sub-regions for the implementation of liberalisation. As a result, a number of
sub-regional consultations and arrangements for the economic regulation of African air transport at the
wider sub-regional level or among states with a community of interest have been or are being
developed. However, as compared to other regional blocks such as EU and US the liberalisation
process in Africa is seen as lagging behind due to several challenges that the study illuminates. The
study therefore posits that despite the adoption of the Yamoussoukro Decision, the continent is still
enmeshed in an intricate web of bilateral agreements and protectionist measures that have ensured a
slow air connectivity rate. There is still the problem of heavy regulation with countries still unaware of
the potential that is in having an industry that thrives on efficiency and competition than on political
expediency and mediocre performance. In order to assess the contribution of this Decision, the study
adopts these objectives; first of all it seeks to examine the extent of liberalization of air transport in
Africa, to evaluate African regional efforts to liberalize and to investigate the impediments to the
implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision. To achieve these objectives, the study is guided by the
liberal theory of liberal institutionalism which advocates for a greater role for non-state actors in
spurring world development. In the contextual application of the theory to this study, it is imperative
for Africa to embrace continental efforts to deregulate the air transport industry since it will be easier
and faster if this process is done jointly by all countries than individually. Benefits, according to the
liberal theory, will accrue to all countries and therefore there is need for co-operation to implement the
Decision. The study utilizes secondary data to critically examine the research problem and comes up
with the conclusion that the Yamoussoukro Decision of 1999 has to some extent facilitated closer air
transport but there are still geographical, policy and political challenges that are hampering the full
implementation of the process.To realize the benefits that come with liberalization, the study
recommends a closer role to be given to regional and sub-regional mechanisms that are better equipped
to harmonise and streamline the labyrinth of regulation measures that either duplicate or even hamper
mobility across borders. More consultative forums and studies are needed to convince national
policymakers and state bureaucrats on the merits of liberalization. The future for air connectivity is
clearly bright though a lot needs to be done now to secure that future | en_US |
