Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, announces Africa’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, aligning with the Paris Agreement.
Keyamo spoke at the Third Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3) focusing on sustainable aviation fuels and cleaner energy.
He spoke on behalf of Ministers from African States through the coordinated efforts of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC).
“Africa, with over 1 billion people, needs a robust aviation system for socio-economic growth. We’re committed to developing African aviation like other global regions,” he stressed
“Central to our growth is realising environmental sustainability’s role in air transport development, particularly in Africa, contributing to sustainable growth,” Keyamo added.
Keyamo emphasised African States’ commitment to hasten development, production, and deployment of sustainable aviation fuels and lower carbon aviation fuels. The initiative focuses on policy development, capacity enhancement, feasibility studies, and resource mobilization for SAF/LCAF projects in Africa.
Recall that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority held the first National Consultative meeting on SAF/LCAF in August in Abuja. Stakeholders from various sectors of the economy, both public and private, gathered at the Transcorp Hilton, a first for Nigeria.
This, he inferred, highlights Africa’s proactive approach to addressing climate change in aviation and its commitment to collaboration on a global scale.
Keyamo further highlights that all regions must participate in SAF/LCAF development, considering cost and global backing for institution strengthening.
“I call on ICAO to continuously partner with all regional organizations to address the challenge of institutional strengthening and capacity enhancement of expertise in all regions,” he said.