The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has called for stronger intra-African air connectivity, saying aviation must play a central role in deepening economic integration and expanding opportunities across the continent.
According to Tunde Moshood, the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications who disclosed this in a press release, Keyamo made the call on Tuesday in Abuja while declaring open the 35th Airports Council International (ACI) Africa Annual General Assembly, 76th Board and Committee Meetings, Regional Conference and Exhibition.
The minister said it should not be easier for travellers to move between an African city and a destination outside the continent than to travel between two African cities.
He urged African governments, airlines, airport operators and regulators to strengthen cooperation in developing commercially viable airports, appropriate regulatory frameworks and improved air connectivity.
Keyamo identified the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) as an important framework for strengthening intra-African connectivity, while noting that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was creating a larger economic space in which aviation must play a critical role.
“When African airports connect Africa more effectively, Africa becomes smaller, and opportunity becomes larger,” he said.
The minister also highlighted Nigeria’s recent aviation safety and regulatory achievements, including the country’s 91.45 per cent Effective Implementation score following the 2026 International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Coordinated Validation Mission, describing it as Nigeria’s highest-ever result.
According to him, the Federal Government is also modernising airport infrastructure, expanding aviation value chains and encouraging greater private-sector participation in airport infrastructure and services.
He said the next generation of African airports must be safe, efficient, financially sustainable, technologically enabled, environmentally responsible and resilient to disruptions.
Keyamo urged participants at the ACI Africa conference to move beyond discussions and translate deliberations into practical policies, partnerships and investments capable of strengthening Africa’s aviation industry.
He said the continent has the market, population, geographical advantages, tourism assets and entrepreneurial capacity required to unlock significant aviation opportunities, but stressed the need to develop the infrastructure, connectivity and institutional capacity required to convert the potential into sustainable economic value.
The minister also commended the leadership of ACI Africa and acknowledged Nigeria’s contribution through the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, who serves as Vice-President of ACI Africa.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with African governments, airport operators, airlines, regulators, investors and development partners to build a safer, more competitive, sustainable and resilient aviation sector.
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