The African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) has called for deeper regional policy alignment to accelerate the development of Africa’s air transport sector. Speaking at the Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit in Lagos, AFCAC Secretary-General Funke Adeyemi emphasized that sustained cooperation among member states is essential to scaling infrastructure, expanding route networks, and attracting sustained aviation investment.
Data presented at the summit indicates that aviation and its affiliated industries currently support 8.1 million jobs across the continent. Over the past three years, airlines have operationalized 124 new intra-African routes, moving approximately 113 million passengers. This growth has contributed an estimated $75 billion to the African gross domestic product. While the figures demonstrate measurable expansion, industry officials noted that connectivity remains fragmented and that coordinated regulatory frameworks will be required to unlock further market potential.
AFCAC, a specialized agency of the African Union headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, provides technical guidance and policy coordination for member states on safety, air navigation, and civil aviation development. Adeyemi described the current phase of growth as foundational, noting that with consistent capital inflow and streamlined licensing, the sector will experience accelerated expansion. She recognized the Nigerian government’s recent aviation reforms as a practical framework for other member states, specifically highlighting Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo for initiatives aimed at modernizing airport operations and fleet acquisition processes.
The summit convened senior government representatives and international stakeholders. Delegations included commissioners representing Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Abia Governor Alex Otti. Other notable attendees featured World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Senate Committee on Aviation Chairman Abdulfatai Buhari, and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Director-General Olubunmi Kuku.
Coordinated investment strategies and harmonized aviation policies will shape the continent’s ability to meet future mobility demands and integrate African carriers into global supply chains.
