Global Aerospace Report Lauds Keyamo’s Enormous Strides in African Aviation

The global aerospace manufacturer of Embraer report has commended the Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for his transformative efforts which have continued to yield notable results as well as contributing enormously to Africa’s journey toward unlocking its vast aviation potential.

Nigeria Aviation under Keyamo’s leadership has emerged as a driving force in the movement to boost intra-African air connectivity, a mission that has now been validated and amplified by the recently released Embraer report, themed “Connecting Africa: Unlocking Africa’s Intra-Regional Connectivity Potential”.

The June 2025 report by global aerospace manufacturer of Embraer provided a compelling, data-driven case for overhauling Africa’s fragmented aviation landscape.

The report highlights the vast economic promise of better air links within the continent as well as cited the policies and strategic direction championed by Keyamo as central to achieving this transformation.

Keyamo, who is the Chairman of the Banjul Accord Group (BAG), a regional aviation oversight body under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), has spearheaded reforms aimed at liberalising African airspace, expanding bilateral air service agreements (BASAs), and modernising aviation infrastructure. His advocacy for regional hub development and fleet renewal is reportedly yielding measurable progress in Nigeria and influencing policy thinking across West Africa.

One of the report’s key insights is the mismatch between Africa’s population and its aviation footprint: despite accounting for 18 per cent of the global population, Africa contributes only 2.1 per cent of global air traffic.

Embraer identifies 45 currently unserved intra-African routes that could be viably operated using 100-seat aircraft like the E-Jet E2—routes that align precisely with Keyamo’s push for right-sized aircraft to serve medium-density markets cost-effectively.

The report quotes the Honourable Minister as saying: “The potential of intra-African connectivity is vast, and it is within our collective power to unlock new markets, build new regional hubs, and create a more integrated continent.

“By working together, we can foster economic growth, promote trade, and improve the lives of millions of Africans through better connectivity.”

This philosophy is already taking shape in policy. Nigeria, under Keyamo’s stewardship, has pursued aggressive Bi-lateral Aviation Services Agreement (BASA) negotiations, signed high-level MoUs with key regional and international players, and pushed for domestic airline capacity growth to tap into underserved markets.

Keyamo’s tenure has also witnessed closer collaboration with OEMs and aviation stakeholders, as Nigeria positions itself as a key node in Africa’s future aviation network.

Embraer’s Senior Vice President for Middle East and Africa, Stephan Hannemann,  said “by deploying the right aircraft and enhancing intra-regional air travel, Africa can unlock new economic opportunities and improve the overall travel experience for millions”.

CEO of AviaDev, Jon Howell, said: “Embraer’s new report illustrates the vast opportunities already on offer to deliver better intra-African connectivity and ensure a robust and resilient future”.

Going by the Minister’s initiatives, Nigeria is no longer just participating in Africa’s aviation renaissance, as his approach is fast becoming a blueprint for regional integration, from safety oversight improvements through BAG to strategic investments in infrastructure.

Keyamo’s widely quoted mantra: “To connect Africa is to empower Africa” is no longer a slogan; but an unfolding reality, grounded in data, policy, and cross-border collaboration.