The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has called for stronger cooperation among African countries to strengthen aviation safety, improve connectivity, and boost operational efficiency across the continent.
Speaking at the IATA Focus Africa Conference in Addis Ababa, Mr. Keyamo said Africa stands at a crucial point in its aviation development, noting that despite its huge population and growing middle class, the continent still accounts for a small share of global air traffic, a gap he described as an opportunity for expansion.
He stressed that safety remains the backbone of the industry, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to stronger regulation, global best practices, and deeper international partnerships to build a more reliable aviation system.
The Minister also pushed for improved intra-African connectivity to support trade and integration under frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He urged the removal of barriers and faster implementation of open skies policies across the continent.
Reporting By Nosa Aituamen