The African Development Bank (AfDB) has appointed Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, to spearhead its $7 billion Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme for Africa (IATP).
The announcement was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by Tunde Moshood, the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications.
The appointment forms part of the AfDB’s broader strategy to modernise Africa’s aviation industry, improve regional air connectivity, strengthen infrastructure, and attract large-scale private and institutional investments into the sector.
The development also positions Nigeria at the forefront of ongoing continental aviation reforms aimed at boosting Africa’s competitiveness in global air transport.
According to the statement, the AfDB selected Keyamo in recognition of Nigeria’s recent policy reforms and leadership efforts in the aviation sector.
The bank noted that the minister would serve as Africa’s champion for the aviation transformation initiative and help drive implementation across participating countries.
“Due to what it describes as Nigeria’s leadership and vision in implementing reforms to transform the aviation sector, the African Development Bank has appointed Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, as the African champion to drive its aviation investment programme across the continent,” the statement said.
The AfDB has earmarked $7 billion for the programme, which is expected to support aviation infrastructure development, sector financing, regulatory improvements, and enhanced connectivity across Africa.
The statement further disclosed that Keyamo has been invited to the AfDB Annual Meeting in Brazzaville on May 28, 2026, where Nigeria and the bank are expected to formally sign a Letter of Intent for the initiative.
The Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme was earlier unveiled by the AfDB during the Airlines, Capital and Connectivity Forum held in Nairobi.
The initiative is built around three major pillars:
- Operationalisation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM)
- Strengthening aviation safety oversight and regulatory compliance
- Development of aviation skills and sector capacity
The programme is designed to make African aviation more integrated, efficient, climate-aligned, and globally competitive.
AfDB officials said the initiative would also support access to aircraft financing, airport infrastructure upgrades, and improved regulatory systems across the continent.
