ABUJA — The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has called for stronger collaboration among African countries to build airports that are safer, more efficient, commercially sustainable and resilient to future disruptions.

Keyamo made the call on Tuesday in Abuja while declaring open the 35th Airports Council International (ACI) Africa Annual General Assembly, 76th Board and Committee Meetings, Regional Conference and Exhibition.

The event, hosted by Nigeria, has the theme: “Next-Gen Airports: Driving Performance and Resilience.”

The minister welcomed delegates from across Africa and beyond, describing Abuja as an appropriate venue for discussions on the future of African airports because of its role as a centre connecting people, regions and institutions.

He described ACI Africa as more than an association of airports, noting that it provides a platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, professional development and collective action.

According to him, ACI Africa represents 64 members in 51 countries and about 250 airports, giving the continent an important voice within the global airport community.

Keyamo said Africa’s aviation market was expanding due to population growth, urbanisation, tourism, trade and the emergence of a growing middle class, but stressed that growth must translate into sustainable airport performance.

He said next-generation airports must go beyond larger terminal buildings to embrace safety, efficiency, financial sustainability, technology, environmental responsibility and resilience.

“The experience of the past few years has shown us how vulnerable aviation can be to pandemics, geopolitical tensions, economic shocks, climate events, cyber threats and infrastructure disruptions,” he said, adding that resilience must therefore be incorporated into airport systems, business models and institutions.

The minister also called for greater adoption of digital transformation, smarter infrastructure, data-driven decision-making and innovative commercial models, while stressing that passengers must remain at the centre of airport development.

For Nigeria, Keyamo said the conference came at a significant time as the Federal Government implements reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen safety, infrastructure, investment, connectivity and aviation’s contribution to the economy.

He highlighted Nigeria’s 91.45 per cent Effective Implementation score following the 2026 International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Coordinated Validation Mission, describing it as the country’s highest-ever result.

However, he said the achievement should serve as a new baseline rather than a destination, adding that government remained committed to further improvements.

Keyamo also cited the rehabilitation and expansion of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal 1 in Lagos as part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s airport infrastructure and improve passenger experience.

He said airports should be regarded not merely as places where aircraft take off and land, but as economic ecosystems that create jobs, support tourism and logistics, attract investment, facilitate trade and connect businesses to markets.

The minister said Nigeria was encouraging greater private-sector participation in airport infrastructure and services, while maintaining safety, security and public-interest standards.

He added that government was supporting the development of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities, aircraft leasing, cargo infrastructure and other segments of the aviation value chain.

“We must increasingly produce aviation value. And we believe Africa should do the same,” he said.

On regional connectivity, Keyamo said it should not be easier to travel from an African city to a destination outside the continent than between two African cities.

He called for stronger intra-African connectivity, commercially viable airports, appropriate regulatory frameworks and closer cooperation among governments, airlines and airport operators.

He said the Single African Air Transport Market and African Continental Free Trade Area provided important frameworks for deepening economic integration, adding that aviation must help make that integration a reality.

On passenger experience, Keyamo said technologies such as biometrics, artificial intelligence, automation and digital platforms should ultimately make journeys safer, easier, faster and more dignified.

He urged ACI Africa members to use the conference to develop partnerships, share experience, attract investment and strengthen institutional capacity.

The minister also commended the leadership of ACI Africa and acknowledged Nigeria’s contribution through the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, who serves as Vice-President of ACI Africa.

Keyamo urged delegates to ensure that discussions at the conference translate into policies, partnerships into projects and innovation into everyday practice.

He said Nigeria remained committed to working with African governments, airport operators, airlines, regulators, investors and development partners to build an aviation sector that is safe, competitive, sustainable, innovative and resilient.

He formally declared open the 35th ACI Africa Annual General Assembly, 76th Board and Committee Meetings, Regional Conference and Exhibition.