The African Development Bank has appointed Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, as the Champion of the Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme for Africa (IATP).
The appointment was conveyed in a letter addressed to the minister and signed by Mike Salawou on behalf of the bank.
According to the AfDB, Nigeria has shown strong leadership in the early phase of the programme, a continent-wide initiative aimed at mobilising investment and transforming aviation into a major driver of economic growth and regional integration across Africa.
The bank described the programme as a platform designed to “mobilise private and institutional capital, de-risk investments, and transform aviation into a driver of regional integration and economic growth across Africa”.
Highlighting Nigeria’s role in the initiative, the AfDB said the Federal Government had already completed the IATP country survey, advanced work on the country compact, and identified opportunities for aircraft financing in Nigeria.
“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 bank also invited Keyamo to participate in a high-level side event during the 2026 Annual Meetings of the AfDB.
“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.
