Festus Keyamo Unveils Aviation Policies to Boost Africa Routes

At the 2026 ACI Africa Regional Conference and Exhibition in Abuja, Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, outlined the government's commitment to enhancing aviation infrastructure and establishing more direct routes across Africa. Keyamo emphasized significant investments in upgrading airports, including ongoing projects at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

He reported that Nigeria's International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) safety score improved from 49.5% to 75.5%, the highest in Africa. The minister noted that increased competition among airlines has led to reduced airfares, although he acknowledged that the sector has not yet reached its full potential.

Keyamo also mentioned Nigeria's role in implementing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) to facilitate easier travel between African nations, citing the reopening of direct flights between Abuja and Yaoundé. Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Chairman of the FAAN Governing Board, stressed the importance of interconnectivity as a key outcome of the conference.