The federal government Tuesday urged African nations to as a matter of priority, take cue on its recent global aviation rating under the Cape Town Convention which has surged above 75.5 per cent, marking a major leap in the country’s compliance with international aviation financing standards.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo noted that the Cape Town Convention, ratified by 28 African countries, had transformed global aircraft financing by reducing credit risks and improving access to capital.
He, therefore, urged African nations to harmonise their implementation of the Convention, emphasising that the full benefits would only be realised through collective action and legal coherence across the continent.
Keyamo, made the at the opening of the Cape Town Convention, Africa Event jointly organised by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the ministry, the Aviation Working Group (AWG), and the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), brought together aviation regulators, financiers, legal experts, and policymakers from across Africa.
Keyamo, represented by Director Human Resources and Administration, Dr. Anastasia Gbem, said the new rating reflected Nigeria’s growing commitment to aligning its aviation systems with international best practices.
He said: “Nigeria’s Cape Town Convention compliance score has risen from 70.5% to 75.5% following the signing and operationalisation of the Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorization (IDERA) procedure and Practice Direction.
“This milestone strengthens our position as a regional leader in aviation law reform and signals to global investors that Nigeria is open for business on globally accepted terms.”
Keyamo further explained that the Cape Town Convention is not just a legal framework; “it is a tool for sustainable aviation growth. We must ensure it translates into lower financing costs, easier access to modern aircraft, improved investor confidence, and enhanced operational efficiency,” he said.
He commended the AWG and AFCAC for their continued partnership and called on stakeholders to deepen collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
Also, Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Ona Najomo, stated that the new compliance milestone followed years of regulatory reforms and judicial strengthening.
Najomo, represented by Director Operation, Licensing and Training, NCAA, Donald Spiff, hinted that the Cape Town Convention Practice Directions, signed by Keyamo in September 2024, had provided a clearer framework for adjudicating aircraft financing cases in Nigerian courts.
“It has significantly increased Nigeria’s compliance rating from 49.0% to 75.5% and the event’s moot court sessions would expose legal practitioners to complex case scenarios under the Convention, helping cultivate a new generation of aviation law experts,” Najomo added.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Buhari Abdulfatai, represented by Senator Augustine Akobundu, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to fostering a regulatory environment that aligns with international aviation practices.
He said that effective domestication and implementation of the Cape Town Convention present an opportunity to unlock the continent’s full aviation potential.
The legislature, he opined, would continue to partner with the executive and stakeholders to advance reforms that promote safety, efficiency, and investor confidence.
Similarly, Hon. Shina Oyedeji, representing the House Committee on Aviation, said the National Assembly remained committed to repositioning Nigeria’s aviation industry to meet global standards.