Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has called for urgent and decisive action to improve air connectivity across Africa, describing it as critical to unlocking the continent’s economic potential.
Keyamo made this position known at the Annual Lecture Series of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) held in Abuja on May 21, 2026. The minister, who was represented at the event by the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, stressed that aviation is no longer a luxury but a vital economic infrastructure.
Speaking on the theme “Improving Connectivity within the African Continent”, he noted that efficient, affordable, and sustainable air transport remains key to driving trade, tourism, healthcare delivery, and industrial growth across Africa.
He referenced landmark continental frameworks such as the Yamoussoukro Decision and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), designed to liberalise Africa’s airspace and promote competition. However, he acknowledged that implementation has been slow, urging African nations to move from policy declarations to tangible action.
“Connectivity is not an abstract concept; it has direct economic consequences. When connectivity improves, investment follows, jobs are created, and prosperity expands”, he stated.
The minister outlined three critical pillars required to transform Africa’s aviation landscape: legal clarity, commercial enablement, and institutional trust. He explained that Nigeria has already initiated reforms to strengthen its legal framework, particularly through improved compliance with the Cape Town Convention, aimed at boosting investor confidence and reducing aviation financing risks.
Keyamo also highlighted the importance of strategic global partnerships, citing Nigeria’s recent Memorandum of Understanding with Boeing as a step toward enhancing technical capacity, training, and integration into the global aerospace ecosystem.
On industry development, he warned that liberalisation must not undermine local capacity, stressing the need to build indigenous strength in areas such as Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), pilot training, and aviation technology.
He further proposed key priorities to accelerate Africa’s connectivity agenda, including faster implementation of SAATM, harmonisation of legal frameworks, innovative financing models, sustainability in aviation operations, and increased investment in human capital and institutional capacity.
While acknowledging the challenges associated with reform, the minister maintained that the cost of inaction is far greater, warning that Africa cannot afford to remain one of the least connected regions globally.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment, he said the country would continue to modernise its aviation sector, strengthen regulatory oversight, attract investment, and support local airlines to ensure that citizens benefit from improved connectivity.
He concluded with a strong call for collective action among governments, private sector players, and international partners to transform Africa’s aviation landscape into one that is open, safe, competitive, and economically beneficial.
“Improving connectivity within Africa is not optional; it is imperative for our collective growth and global competitiveness”, he said.