The African Development Bank (AfDB) has appointed Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, as the African champion for its $7 billion Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme for Africa (IATP).
The appointment follows Nigeria’s recent aviation sector reforms and the country’s growing role in driving policy changes aimed at improving air transportation across the continent.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the minister. According to the statement, the AfDB also invited Keyamo to participate in its Annual Meeting scheduled to hold on May 28, 2026, in Brazzaville.
The statement noted that the formal signing of the Letter of Intent between Nigeria and the bank would take place during the meeting.
AfDB explained that the Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme for Africa is a continent-wide initiative created to modernise Africa’s aviation ecosystem and attract private, institutional, and concessional funding into the sector.
The programme is expected to improve airport infrastructure, strengthen airline operations, enhance regional connectivity, and boost investment opportunities across African countries.
According to the bank, African airlines currently account for less than three percent of global air traffic despite the continent representing nearly 18 percent of the world’s population, a gap the initiative seeks to address through strategic reforms and partnerships.
With his appointment, Keyamo is expected to coordinate advocacy, collaboration, and policy engagement efforts that will support the successful implementation of the programme across Africa.
The AfDB said the minister’s experience, commitment, and involvement in Nigeria’s aviation reforms positioned him to help drive the transformation agenda for the continent’s aviation industry.
AfDB Appoints Keyamo to Champion $7bn Aviation Transformation Programme in Africa
