Nigeria has signed a partnership agreement with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to modernise aviation infrastructure, improve regional connectivity and strengthen airline competitiveness across Africa.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group in Brazzaville on Thursday.

Speaking at the ceremony, Director of PICU at the AfDB, Mike Salawou, described the initiative as a major continental programme designed to transform Africa’s aviation ecosystem.

Mr Salawou said the partnership would support aviation infrastructure development, strengthen connectivity, attract private investment and modernise airline operations across the continent.

He said that though Africa accounted for about 18 per cent of the world’s population, African airlines still represented only a small share of global air transport.

According to him, the gap reflects challenges including infrastructure deficits, fragmented markets and limited access to long-term financing.

Mr Salawou said Nigeria, as Africa’s largest aviation market, was strategically positioned to play a leading role in the continent’s aviation transformation agenda.

He added that Nigeria became the first country to sign a country compact under the AfDB aviation transformation programme.

Also speaking, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said Africa could not achieve meaningful trade, tourism and investment growth without stronger air connectivity.

Mr Keyamo said the agreement marked a significant step toward improving the competitiveness of African airlines and expanding aviation capacity across the continent.

He said the AfDB initiative would help modernise airline fleets and provide competitive financing structures similar to those available in other parts of the world.

The minister added that the Nigerian government had given full approval and support for the partnership with the AfDB.

(NAN)