Aviation Minister Calls for Stronger Intra-African Air Connectivity, Says Aviation Must Make Africa “Smaller”

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has called for stronger intra-African air connectivity, stressing that aviation must play a central role in deepening economic integration across the continent.

The Aviation Minister 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 to travel between an African city and a destination outside the continent than to travel between two African cities.

He called for stronger cooperation among African governments, airlines, airport operators and regulators to develop commercially viable airports, appropriate regulatory frameworks and improved connectivity across the continent.

According to him, the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) provides an important framework for achieving stronger intra-African connectivity, while the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is 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,” the Minister said.

Keyamo also highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing aviation transformation, including the country’s 91.45 per cent Effective Implementation score following the 2026 ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission, describing it as Nigeria’s highest-ever result.

He said the Federal Government was also modernising airport infrastructure, expanding aviation value chains and encouraging private-sector participation in airport infrastructure and services.

The Minister emphasised that next-generation African airports must be safe, efficient, financially sustainable, technologically enabled, environmentally responsible and resilient to disruptions.

He urged participants at the ACI Africa conference to translate discussions into practical policies, partnerships and investments that would strengthen the continent’s aviation industry.

He said Africa possesses the market, people, geography, tourism assets and entrepreneurial energy required to unlock enormous aviation potential, but must build the infrastructure, connectivity and institutional capacity to convert that potential into sustainable value.

Keyamo 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, 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.

Tunde Moshood
Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister