Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has been appointed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) as the Champion of the Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme for Africa (IATP).
The appointment was contained in a letter signed by Mike Salawou on behalf of the bank, acknowledging Nigeria’s strong involvement in the take-off phase of the continental aviation initiative.
The AfDB said the programme was created to attract both private and institutional investments into Africa’s aviation sector while using the industry to deepen economic growth and regional connectivity across the continent.
Describing the initiative, the bank said it is structured to “mobilise private and institutional capital, de-risk investments, and transform aviation into a driver of regional integration and economic growth across Africa”.
The bank praised Nigeria for the progress already made under the programme, noting that the country had completed the IATP country survey, moved forward with work on the country compact, and identified aircraft financing opportunities.
“Nigeria’s engagement has been exemplary: the Federal Government has completed the IATP country survey, advanced initial work on the country compact, identified concrete opportunities to finance aircraft in Nigeria, and is actively exploring the creation of a Nigerian aviation financing platform.
“This level of commitment positions Nigeria as one of the IATP’s foremost country champions, and the Bank is deeply grateful for your Ministry’s leadership and vision.
“It is in this spirit that the Bank is pleased to appoint you as the Champion of the Integrated Aviation Transformation Program for Africa (IATP),” the statement partly read.
The AfDB further invited Keyamo to a high-level event scheduled to hold during the bank’s 2026 Annual Meetings.
“As the IATP Champion, we are elated to have you at our high-level side event on the margins of the 2026 Annual Meetings, titled ‘Platform Solutions for Africa’s Transformation: DeRisking Aviation and Health Systems through Innovative Finance’, to be held on 28 May 2026, from 08:00 to 09:00, hosted by Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, the President of the African Development Bank Group,” it added.
According to the bank, the minister’s presence at the event would allow Nigeria to showcase its aviation reform plans before development partners, investors, regulators, and airline operators, while also promoting the IATP as a strategic investment platform for Africa.
The AfDB also stated that Keyamo would play a major role in developing the programme’s aircraft financing framework, including ongoing efforts to establish a Nigerian aviation financing platform capable of serving as a template for other African countries.
The bank added that Nigeria would participate in the signing of the IATP Nigeria Country Compact, which it described as a major step in moving the initiative from planning to implementation.
“Following the discussion, we warmly invite you to attend the signing ceremony of the IATP Nigeria Country Compact (time TBC) — a landmark moment that formalizes Nigeria’s role as a founding country partner of the IATP and marks the transition from strategic engagement to country-level implementation.
“Nigeria’s early commitment — reflected in the completion of the survey, the work on the country compact, and the active identification of aircraft financing opportunities — has set a standard of engagement that we hope will inspire other Member States to follow. We look forward to welcoming you as a signatory and champion of this historic step for Africa’s aviation sector.
“The African Development Bank looks forward to welcoming you and to celebrating Nigeria’s leading role in shaping a new era for aviation finance in Africa,” the bank added.