AfDB appoints Keyamo champion of Africa’s aviation
By Damilare Adeleye
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has appointed Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo as the Champion of its Integrated Aviation Transformation Program for Africa (IATP).
In a letter dated May 26, 2026 and signed by the Director of the Infrastructure and Urban Development Department, the AfDB said Nigeria had shown outstanding leadership in the early phase of the IATP, a continent-wide platform launched to mobilize private and institutional capital, de-risk investments, and transform aviation into a driver of regional integration and economic growth.
The Bank cited Nigeria’s completion of the IATP country survey, advanced initial work on the country compact, and identification of concrete opportunities to finance aircraft in Nigeria.
It also noted that the Federal Government is actively exploring the creation of a Nigerian aviation financing platform.
“In this spirit, the Bank is pleased to appoint you as the Champion of the Integrated Aviation Transformation Program for Africa (IATP),” the letter stated.
As IATP Champion, Keyamo will headline a high-level side event at the AfDB’s 2026 Annual Meetings on May 28, 2026. The bank disclosed that Keyamo’s role will include presenting Nigeria’s aviation transformation agenda to development partners, investors, airlines, and regulators; shaping the design of the IATP’s aircraft finance pillar; and deepening partnerships with the AfDB, the Government of Japan, and other development finance institutions.
The appointment positions Nigeria as one of the foremost country champions of the IATP, with the bank expressing gratitude for the Ministry’s “leadership and vision.”
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.”
IATP, a $ 7bn initiative, is designed to “modernize Africa’s aviation ecosystem and mobilize private, institutional, and concessional capital. It seeks to revitalize the industry, as African airlines currently account for less than 3 percent of global air traffic despite housing nearly 18 percent of the global population.”
“The Aviation Minister is now expected to bring his knowledge, commitment and passion to drive this program in the whole of Africa. The Bank expressed its deep gratitude to the Minister for his commitment to advancing Aviation in the whole of Africa,” the statement added.