Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, has highlighted safety, seamless connectivity and operational efficiency as the three critical pillars for aviation growth in Africa.
Speaking at the ongoing IATA Focus Africa Conference in Addis Ababa, themed “Elevating Aviation Safety, Connectivity, and Operational Efficiency in Africa.”, the Minister said “Africa’s population of 1.4 billion is not just a statistic, but a massive opportunity to expand the continent’s currently small share of global air traffic.”
The Honourable Minister outlined three critical pillars for this growth:
- Safety First: Reaffirming that safety is the “bedrock” of the industry.
- Seamless Connectivity: Calling for the full implementation of “Open Skies” and the removal of trade barriers under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
- Operational Efficiency: Driving competitiveness through infrastructure modernization and digital transformation.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the Minister, Mr. Olugbenga Saka said: “The Minister’s advocacy comes on the heels of a historic achievement for Nigeria. Just days prior to the conference, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) concluded its latest audit, awarding Nigeria an impressive 91.45% Effective Implementation (EI) score.”
“This score is the highest in Nigeria’s history, significantly surpassing the global average of 70.4% and the West African average of 61.1%. This remarkable leap from the 2023 score of 70% showcasing the success of the Hon. Minister’s 5-point agenda and cements Nigeria’s position as a regional leader in aviation safety oversight.” added Mr. Saka.
Mr. Saka remarked “As the Hon. Minister noted in Addis Ababa, the goal is now to translate these high standards into a superior experience for every passenger across the continent.”
The Honourable Minister Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON concluded: “Efficiency is not only about cost reduction; it is about enhancing the overall passenger experience and strengthening the competitiveness of African aviation on the global stage.”