Africa’s aviation industry is preparing for one of its most ambitious overhauls yet, and Nigeria has been placed at the centre of the effort.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has appointed Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to champion its $7 billion Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme for Africa (IATP), a continent-wide initiative aimed at modernising air transport, improving connectivity, and attracting major investment into the sector.
The announcement was disclosed in a statement issued by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the minister.
For a continent that still accounts for less than 3% of global air traffic despite its population and economic potential, the programme reflects growing urgency around fixing Africa’s fragmented aviation landscape.
According to the AfDB, Nigeria’s aviation reforms and policy direction influenced Keyamo’s appointment.
“Due to what it describes as Nigeria’s ‘leadership and vision’ in respect of various policy reforms to transform Nigeria’s Aviation sector, the African Development Bank has appointed Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, as the African Champion to drive its program that has been developed to invest substantially in aviation in Africa,” the statement said.
The programme, first unveiled at the Airlines, Capital and Connectivity Forum in Nairobi, is built around three priorities: implementing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), strengthening aviation safety and regulatory oversight, and developing technical skills across the industry.
SAATM, a flagship African Union Agenda 2063 initiative, seeks to liberalise air travel across Africa through more open skies policies aimed at boosting trade, tourism, and regional integration.
Nigeria is among 34 African countries signed onto the initiative, representing over 80% of the continent’s aviation market.
AfDB officials say the wider programme will also support airport upgrades, improve access to aircraft financing, and encourage stronger private-sector participation in African aviation.
Keyamo is expected to attend the AfDB Annual Meeting in Brazzaville on May 28, 2026, where Nigeria and the bank are set to formally sign a Letter of Intent tied to the initiative.
The programme aligns with broader African Union plans to modernise aviation infrastructure and position the continent for stronger economic integration through air connectivity.
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