Chinedu Eze and Kasim Sumaina in Abuja
African Development Bank has appointed Nigeria’s Aviation Minister and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, as the African Champion to drive its programme developed to invest substantially in the aviation industry in Africa.
The regional bank, which functions as a premier multilateral development institution on the continent, stated that it chose Keyamo because of Nigeria’s ‘leadership and vision’ in respect of various policy reforms to transform Nigeria’s Aviation sector.
The minister will drive the Integrated Aviation Transformation Program for Africa (IATP) for which African Development Bank has earmarked the sum of $7 billion.
In this respect, the bank has invited the minister to its Annual Meeting holding in Brazzaville on the 28th of May, 2026, during which the formal signing of the Letter of Intent (LOI) between the Bank and Nigeria will take place.
The Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme for Africa is a continent-wide platform designed to modernize Africa’s aviation ecosystem and mobilize private, institutional, and concessional capital.
It seeks to revitalize the industry, as African airlines currently account for less than 3 percent of global air traffic despite housing nearly 18 percent of the global population.
Special Adviser, Media, to the Minister, Tunde Moshood, explained that the aviation minister is now expected to bring his knowledge, commitment and passion to drive this programme in the whole of Africa.
“The Bank expressed its deep gratitude to the Minister for his commitment to advancing Aviation in the whole of Africa,” Moshood said.
In the letter of invitation with reference, PICU1/LTR//YM/2026/05/0015 and dated May 26, 2026, African Development Bank said, “Nigeria has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the early phase of the Integrated Aviation Transformation Program for Africa (IATP) — a continent-wide platform launched by the African Development Bank to mobilize private and institutional capital, de-risk investments, and transform aviation into a driver of regional integration and economic growth across Africa.
“Nigeria’s engagement has been exemplary: the Federal Government has completed the IATP country survey, advanced initial work on the country compact, identified concrete opportunities to finance aircraft in Nigeria, and is actively exploring the creation of a Nigerian aviation financing platform.
“This level of commitment positions Nigeria as one of the IATP’s foremost country champions, and the Bank is deeply grateful for your Ministry’s leadership and vision.”
The bank also said, “It is in this spirit that the Bank is pleased to appoint you as the Champion of the Integrated Aviation Transformation Program for Africa (IATP). As the IATP Champion, we are elated to have you at our high-level side event on the margins of the 2026 Annual Meetings, titled ‘Platform Solutions for Africa’s Transformation: De- Risking Aviation and Health Systems through Innovative Finance’, to be held on 28 May 2026, from 08:00 to 09:00, hosted by Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, the President of the African Development Bank Group.
“We would be particularly honoured to have you participate in your capacity as the champion of the IATP and as the Minister driving Nigeria’s aviation transformation agenda.”
African Development Bank is a premier multilateral development institution by financing large-scale infrastructure projects, mobilizing public and private capital, and providing policy guidance to African nations
