Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has called for urgent, result-driven reforms to unlock Africa’s aviation potential, urging countries across the continent to move beyond policy declarations and deliver concrete benefits to airlines and passengers.
Speaking at the African Air Transport Expo 2026 in Lomé, Togo, the minister stressed that Africa must shift from signing agreements to implementing practical measures that guarantee seamless air connectivity.
The event, organised by the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), brought together key stakeholders, including ministers, regulators, airline executives and development partners, to chart a new course for the continent’s aviation sector.
Keyamo, who featured in two high-level panel sessions on the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and air transport affordability, outlined Nigeria’s commitment to accelerating reforms within a defined timeframe.
“We must move from signatures to actual traffic rights. Over the next 24 months, Nigeria will streamline permits for African carriers, align air agreements, and lead the Banjul Accord Group to progressively treat West Africa as a unified domestic market”, he said.
He noted that expanding market access remains central to the African Union’s vision of a fully connected continent, adding that efficient air transport would significantly boost trade, tourism, investment and regional integration.
On affordability, the minister reiterated Nigeria’s position that aviation should serve as an economic enabler rather than a revenue-generating tool for governments.
“Aviation is an economic enabler, not a revenue collection point. Nigeria is aggressively driving down costs through a 30 per cent discount on statutory fees for domestic operators approved by Mr President, transitioning toward VAT neutrality, and auditing duplicate levies,” he stated.
Keyamo also challenged African governments and industry stakeholders to prioritise measurable outcomes over rhetoric.
“The real test of our success is no longer how many declarations we adopt, but how many African routes we open, how many restrictions we remove, and how many passengers actually benefit,” he added.
His remarks drew strong support from participants, many of whom described Nigeria’s commitments as a significant step toward accelerating SAATM implementation and fostering a more competitive, accessible and affordable air transport system across Africa.
The discussions at the expo come on the heels of the African Development Bank’s proposed $7 billion aviation transformation programme, seen as a major boost to infrastructure development and sector-wide reforms.
Stakeholders at the gathering agreed that coordinated action, policy alignment and sustained investment will be critical to transforming Africa’s aviation industry into a true driver of economic growth and regional integration.