The African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) has emphasized the economic value of the continent’s air transport sector, calling for sustained regulatory cooperation among member states at an investment summit in Lagos. During the Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit, AFCAC Secretary-General Funke Adeyemi presented recent industry data and urged governments to align policies that support long-term aviation growth.
Data presented at the forum showed that Africa has introduced 124 new commercial air routes over the past three years, facilitating approximately 113 million passenger journeys. The network expansion has generated an estimated 8.1 million jobs and contributed 75 billion to the regional gross domestic product through direct operations and supporting industries. Adeyemi noted that while the figures demonstrate progress, they represent a fraction of the continent’s total economic capacity. She called for continued partnership across borders, noting that coordinated infrastructure development and regulatory standardization will be necessary to achieve larger-scale growth.
The summit, organized by the Nigerian government, highlighted recent policy reforms aimed at modernizing Nigeria’s aerospace sector. Adeyemi specifically recognized initiatives introduced by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, which focus on operational efficiency and facility upgrades. The event drew senior officials, including World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and political representatives from Abia and Lagos states, who attended through designated commissioners. Additional participants included Senator Abdulfatai Buhari and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Director-General Olubunmi Kuku.
Based in Dakar, Senegal, AFCAC operates under the African Union with a mandate to coordinate policy development, harmonize safety regulations, and promote regional aviation integration. The commission has consistently aligned its objectives with continental frameworks designed to liberalize cross-border air travel and stimulate economic connectivity.
Industry delegates indicated that future expansion will depend on consistent maintenance of airport infrastructure, transparent financing frameworks for fleet acquisition, and adherence to international safety standards. With regional passenger demand projected to increase, officials noted that sustained multilateral cooperation will remain essential for scaling Africa’s aviation sector and maximizing its contribution to job creation and trade.
