The African Development Bank Group has appointed Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, as the African champion for its $7 billion Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme for Africa (IATP).
The appointment was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the minister.
According to the statement, the initiative forms part of the AfDB’s broader strategy to modernise Africa’s aviation industry, strengthen infrastructure, and attract large-scale private and institutional investment into the sector.
The development further positions Nigeria at the centre of continental aviation reforms as African governments push for stronger regional integration and improved air connectivity.
AfDB cites Nigeria’s aviation reforms
The AfDB said Keyamo’s appointment was based on what it described as Nigeria’s “leadership and vision” in implementing reforms aimed at transforming the country’s aviation sector.
“Due to what it describes as Nigeria’s ‘leadership and vision’ in respect of various policy reforms to transform Nigeria’s aviation sector, the African Development Bank has appointed Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, as the African Champion to drive its programme that has been developed to invest substantially in aviation in Africa.
“This is the Integrated Aviation Transformation Program for Africa (IATP) for which it has earmarked the sum of $7 billion,” the statement said.
The bank noted that African airlines currently account for less than 3% of global air traffic despite the continent’s population size and economic potential, a gap the programme seeks to address.
Keyamo is also expected to participate in the AfDB Annual Meeting in Brazzaville on May 28, 2026, where a Letter of Intent between the bank and Nigeria is scheduled to be signed.
About Aviation Transformation Programme
The Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme was earlier unveiled by the AfDB during the Airlines, Capital and Connectivity Forum in Nairobi as a continent-wide initiative focused on modernising Africa’s aviation ecosystem.
The programme is built around three major pillars:
Operationalisation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) to liberalise air travel across Africa
Strengthening aviation safety oversight and regulatory compliance
Development of aviation skills to improve efficiency and expand employment opportunities within the sector
AfDB officials said the programme is intended to make African aviation more integrated, competitive, and climate-aligned while improving access to aircraft financing and airport infrastructure upgrades.
About SAATM
The Single African Air Transport Market is a flagship initiative under the African Union’s Agenda 2063 framework aimed at creating a unified air transport market across the continent.
The initiative seeks to:
Liberalise civil aviation and create more open skies policies, Improve intra-African connectivity, Boost trade, tourism, and regional integration, and Support job creation and economic growth across African countries
Nigeria is among 34 African countries that have signed onto the initiative, representing more than 80% of Africa’s aviation market.
The Federal Government has repeatedly expressed support for the implementation of SAATM as part of efforts to strengthen regional air transport integration.
