Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Single African Air Transport Market, Keyamo Tells Lomé Summit
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has reaffirmed the country’s strong commitment to the ideals of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), stressing that deeper air connectivity is essential to unlocking the continent’s economic potential.
Keyamo made the remarks on the sidelines of the ongoing African Air Transport Convention and Expo 2026 in Lomé, according to a statement from his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood.
The minister said Nigeria would continue to work closely with sister African nations and regional aviation institutions to advance policies and partnerships aimed at strengthening air transport, improving infrastructure, encouraging investment, and facilitating the seamless movement of people and goods across Africa.
“Nigeria will continue to work closely with sister African nations and regional aviation institutions to promote policies and partnerships that will strengthen air transport, improve infrastructure, encourage investment, and facilitate seamless movement of people and goods across Africa,” the statement read.
Keyamo also led a high-level Nigerian delegation to formally welcome former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the convention, which has drawn aviation policymakers, regulators, industry leaders and development partners from across the continent.
The statement noted that Obasanjo’s participation underscored his enduring commitment to Africa’s economic integration and the growth of aviation as a catalyst for trade, tourism and development.
The convention was attended by the President of the Council of Ministers of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, and other key aviation stakeholders.
Members of the Nigerian delegation included Mrs Adefunke Adeyemi, who attended in her capacity as Secretary-General of the African Civil Aviation Commission; Captain Juan “Boyo” Olubodun, SAATM Ambassador for the Western Region; and the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Chris Najomo, among others.
The African Air Transport Convention and Expo 2026 is expected to feature high-level engagements, technical sessions and bilateral meetings aimed at accelerating the transformation of Africa’s aviation ecosystem into a globally competitive and fully integrated network.