The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has called for stronger collaboration among African nations to advance aviation safety, enhance connectivity, and improve operational efficiency across the continent.
Delivering a goodwill message at the IATA Focus Africa Conference holding in Addis Ababa, the Minister emphasized that Africa stands at a defining moment in its aviation evolution, with vast untapped potential despite its relatively small share of global air traffic.
Keyamo, in a statement issued on Wednesday by his SA Media and Communication, Tunde Moshood, said that the theme aligned with the critical priorities required to unlock sustainable growth within Africa’s aviation sector.
He noted: “Africa, with a population of over 1.4 billion people and a growing middle class, presents immense opportunities for aviation growth. The gap in global air traffic share is not a limitation, but an opportunity for expansion and innovation.”
Highlighting safety as the foundation of the aviation industry, Keyamo reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening regulatory frameworks, complying with global best practices, and deepening collaboration with international partners to ensure a robust and reliable aviation system.
On connectivity, the minister stressed the urgent need to improve intra-African air links to drive trade, tourism, and regional integration, in line with continental aspirations and frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
He called for the removal of barriers, harmonization of policies, and full implementation of open skies initiatives across Africa.
Keyamo underscored the importance of operational efficiency, pointing to infrastructure modernization, digital transformation, enhanced air navigation services, and streamlined regulatory processes as key drivers of competitiveness in the global aviation landscape.
“Efficiency is not only about reducing costs; it is about improving passenger experience and positioning African aviation to compete globally,” he added.