African states should harmonise their aviation regulations to attract financing needed by the continent's carriers to compete in the global market, Nigeria's state minister for air transport said on Nov. 20.

"I wish to propose the harmonisation of the regulatory framework through the integration of the African aviation systems," Felix Hyat told a meeting of industry leaders and financiers in Nairobi.

This, he said, would get rid of obstacles, bottlenecks, and obsolete laws that scare away potential investors. He added that over 65 percent of the continent's fleets are acquired through financing facilities.

Kenyan Transport Minister Ali Mwakwere said African governments, operators, manufacturers and donor agencies should develop a common plan for financing the growth of the industry.

Africa committed to open up its skies to foreign carriers in a 1999 agreement signed in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast. But airline executives complain that foreign carriers are hurting their businesses.

"The major problem is globalisation. It is putting our small carriers on the same footing as mega carriers of the world for competition," said Christian Folly-Kossi, head of the African Airlines Association.

David Savy, the chairman and chief executive of Air Seychelles, told Reuters the entry of Gulf-based airlines into the African market had led to lower profits and aggressive competition.

Africa has become a recruiting ground for many Middle East and some Asian carriers, who lure away pilots, engineers and cabin crew staff trained by African airlines, he said.

"This is an issue because investment is done by African carriers and the fruits are being reaped by predators."

Experts say Africa has the world's highest rate of air accidents, while accounting for just 4.5 percent of global air traffic.