The ACI Africa 35th Annual General Assembly, Regional Conference and Exhibition 2026, hosted by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in Abuja held from September 19-25, 2026, under the theme, “Next-Gen Airports: Driving Performance and Resilience”. The 7-day gathering brought together Airport Council International (ACI) executives, CEOs and managing directors of African airports, innovators, technology providers and other industry stakeholders.
Opening Ceremony
The Conference officially opened by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Honourable Olorogun Festus Keyamo, SAN had in attendance the Director-General of Airports Council International (ACI) World, Mr. Justin Erbacci who was represented by the Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, ACI World, Mr. Antoine Rostworowski, the Secretary General of the Airports Council International (ACI) Africa, Mr. Ali Tounsi; and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku.
The Conference opening was also witnessed by airports executives and CEOs, African airlines, heads of Nigerian aviation parastatals, aviation financiers, representatives from the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), sponsors and exhibitors.
Honourable Festus Keyamo welcoming delegates to the Conference, said Africa’s growing traffic should be converted into sustainable airport performance and that the next-generation airports must be safe, efficient, financially sustainable, more commercially viable, more passenger-friendly, and more resilient. He called for stronger intra-African air connectivity, noting that, “If you don’t connect Africa, you cannot develop Africa. You have to connect Africa first.” He opined that improved connections between the African states are important to unlocking the continent’s economic potential.
Minister Keyamo charged the Conference to “Let Abuja 2026 be remembered not simply for the speeches delivered or the results, but for the partnerships created, investments initiated, ideas implemented, and commitments that were fulfilled. Let discussions at this conference become policies, let partnerships become projects, let innovation become everyday practise and let resilience become a design principle for every airport we build or transform.”
Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku said that Africa is leading global aviation recovery. She said: “According to the latest data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), African airlines recorded a 6.4 per cent year-on-year increase in international passenger demand in July 2026.” Putting that into perspective, Mrs. Kuku stated that “while global international demand actually declined by 0.1 per cent during the same period, Africa was expanding. We are not just participating in global aviation recovery-we are leading it. And I am proud to be standing in the same room with the men and women moving Africans and their visitors safely and in comfort.”
On Nigeria’s market, Mrs. Kuku added, “Nigeria, my home and the host nation for this conference, is proud to be at the forefront of this growth story. Our aviation market now ranks as the fourth-largest in Africa, with over 18.8 million domestic and international passengers recorded in 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 11.9 percent. The Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos-whose oldest terminal is being rehabilitated and upgraded as we speak-recorded the fastest growth in scheduled seat capacity among Africa’s ten largest airports in September, with a remarkable 24.1 per cent increase.”
Mrs. Kuku listed five imperatives for African airports include: financial sustainability, intelligent infrastructure, operational resilience, human capital and partnerships for the next generation airports and called for collective action.
The Director-General of Airports Council International (ACI) World, Mr. Justin Erbacci outlined four priorities aimed at strengthening the performance, resilience and sustainable growth of airports. Mr. Erbacci who was represented by the Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, ACI World, Mr. Antoine Rostworowski revealed that the four priorities are embedded in the organisation’s Policy Agenda 2030.
Mr. Erbacci said the theme of the Conference “is not just a slogan for this week, it is the reality of our industry, what we are facing right now. This year, the world’s airports will welcome 10 billion passengers, I repeat this, 10 billion passengers worldwide, a new record. That record is the performance side of the story. 10 billion passengers, a system operating at close to full capacity. But let’s look behind the number and we can find the resilience and agility we all have. Geopolitical tensions, airspace restrictions, rising operating costs, shifting traffic flows- none of it stops the growth. Disruption is no longer the exception. It is the environment we now operate in. So, the real work is not just balancing the facts. What matters is making sure our airport is strong enough economically and operationally to keep delivering regardless of what takes place.”
Industry Insights and Discussions
The Conference delved into a wide range of topics ranging from the 76th ACI Africa Board Meeting, to the 35th ACI Africa Annual General Assembly, regional committee meetings, panel sessions, next-gen spotlight sessions, technical discussions, business meetings, masterclasses and cultural presentations.
It featured also panel discussions focused on leading African airports in an era of constraints and opportunity, route development, unlocking climate and development finance for African airports. The delegates discussed advancing gender equality in African aviation, aeronautical dependence, commercial resilience, creating exceptional passenger experience, airport certification, compliance and operational readiness, smart airports, data and digital transformation. A leadership spotlight explored how Sudan connected in time of crisis and a breakfast session with school girls designed to promote dialogue, knowledge sharing and collaboration on the future of African aviation.
During the CEO Leadership Panel on Leading African Airports in an Era of Constraint and Opportunity, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku identified Infrastructure as the major challenge facing Nigerian airports noting that the focus must go beyond physical infrastructure to intelligent technology systems that improve efficiency and passenger experience. She highlighted the introduction of e-gates, integration with passenger information systems, advanced cargo information systems, biometric boarding and technology-driven runway operations as solutions being introduced to simplify airport processes, strengthen safety and security and improve service delivery.
Speaking during the session on Advancing Gender Equality in African Aviation, the Director of Commercial and Business Development at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Adebola Joy Agunbiade highlighted stereotypes, career pipelines, mentorship and sponsorship, and career and life as the challenges that limit the progression of women in the African aviation industry.
The 35th ACI Africa Regional Conference and Exhibition provided a valuable opportunity to connect, exchange ideas and gain fresh perspectives on how the African aviation industry can continue to innovate, adapt and position itself for the future. The future of aviation is not just about moving people from one destination to another; it is about technology, experience, innovation and creating sustainable value.
The Conference had a host of exhibitors such as FAAN, ACI Africa, SITA, CCECC Limited, First Bank, Xejet Ltd, Flymark, ADB Safegate, TAV Technologies, RESA, Barnksforte Technologies Ltd, UNIVASA, Airport Company South Africa, Dalil Information Technology, F.C.I International Limited, ULMA Baggage Handling, and Roadgrip Ltd amongst others.
The 77th Board & Committee Meeting, Regional Conference and Exhibition is set to take place in Dakar, Senegal from March 20-26, 2027.
By Jesuyemi Adeyemi