The African Development Bank has appointed Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, as the African champion for its newly unveiled Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme for Africa, a $`7bn initiative aimed at repositioning the continent’s aviation industry.

According to the letter of appointment obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday, the appointment follows what it described as Nigeria’s leadership and vision in implementing reforms targeted at transforming the country’s aviation sector and improving investor confidence.

The development is expected to further strengthen Nigeria’s influence within Africa’s aviation space, while placing Keyamo at the forefront of efforts to drive infrastructure development, financing and policy coordination across the continent’s air transport industry.

Under the programme, the AfDB plans to mobilise substantial investments into Africa’s aviation ecosystem through a combination of private, institutional and concessional funding.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Tunde Moshood, the bank disclosed that Keyamo had been invited to its Annual Meeting scheduled to hold in Brazzaville, Congo, on Thursday.

The statement added that the formal signing of a Letter of Intent between Nigeria and the bank would also take place during the event.

The AfDB said, “Due to Nigeria’s leadership and vision in respect of various policy reforms to transform Nigeria’s aviation sector, the African Development Bank has appointed Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, as the African Champion to drive its programme developed to invest substantially in aviation in Africa.”

The bank further revealed that the Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme for Africa had already secured a funding envelope of `$7bn to support aviation development projects across the continent.

The AfDB noted that despite Africa accounting for nearly 18 per cent of the world’s population, airlines on the continent currently contribute less than three per cent of global air traffic, a situation the programme seeks to reverse.

“The Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme for Africa is a continent-wide platform designed to modernise Africa’s aviation ecosystem and mobilise private, institutional and concessional capital,” the statement said.

The AfDB also praised Keyamo’s commitment to advancing aviation development across Africa, expressing confidence in his ability to drive the ambitious programme.

(The PUNCH)

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