The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, 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 held 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, a statement by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister noted.
Addressing distinguished participants, including representatives of the International Air Transport Association, aviation leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, Keyamo commended IATA for convening the conference under the theme: “Elevating Aviation Safety, Connectivity and Operational Efficiency in Africa.”
He noted that the theme aligns with the critical priorities required to unlock sustainable growth within Africa’s aviation sector. “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,” the Minister stated.
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.
Speaking further, 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.
The Minister reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to fostering partnerships with governments, industry stakeholders, and development partners to accelerate progress and ensure sustainable aviation growth across the continent.
He urged participants to prioritize actionable outcomes from the conference deliberations, noting that the future of African aviation depends on the collective ability to translate discussions into measurable results.
Keyamo also commended Ethiopian Airlines for sponsoring the conference and expressed appreciation to the Government of Ethiopia for its warm hospitality.
The IATA Focus Africa Conference continues to serve as a strategic platform for advancing dialogue and shaping policies that will drive the transformation of Africa’s aviation sector.
