AfDB appoints Keyamo to lead $7bn aviation transformation programme for Africa

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barr. Festus Keyamo (SAND), has been appointed by the as the African Champion for its newly launched Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme for Africa (IATP), a major continental initiative backed by a proposed investment of $7 billion.

The appointment comes in recognition of what the Bank described as Nigeria’s “leadership and vision” in implementing strategic policy reforms aimed at repositioning the nation’s aviation sector.

According to a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the formal signing of the Letter of Intent (LOI) between Nigeria and the African Development Bank is scheduled to take place during the Bank’s Annual Meeting in on May 28, 2026.

The Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme for Africa is designed as a continent-wide platform to modernize Africa’s aviation ecosystem and attract private, institutional and concessional financing into the sector.

Despite accounting for nearly 18 percent of the world’s population, African airlines currently contribute less than 3 percent of global air traffic — a gap the programme seeks to address through strategic investments, infrastructure upgrades, regulatory reforms and regional collaboration.

With his appointment as the programme’s champion, Keyamo is expected to spearhead advocacy, partnerships and policy coordination efforts aimed at accelerating aviation development across the African continent.

“The Bank expressed its deep gratitude to the Minister for his commitment to advancing Aviation in the whole of Africa,” the statement noted.

The development is being viewed as another significant boost for Nigeria’s growing influence in continental aviation policy and sectoral reforms under the current administration.

Industry stakeholders believe the appointment further reflects increasing international confidence in Nigeria’s aviation reform agenda and the leadership role the country is beginning to play in shaping the future of air transportation in Africa.