Keyamo Hosts Nigeria Aircraft Acquisition, Investment Summit

The minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, is set to host the maiden edition of the Nigeria Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit (NAAIS) in Nigeria.

The event billed for April and which is the first-of-its-kind, will convene international aircraft lessors, global aviation financiers, airline operators, airport concessionaires, policymakers, and institutional investors to explore Nigeria’s rapidly expanding aviation market and unlock new pathways for aircraft acquisition and infrastructure investment.

Special adviser on media and communications to minister, Tunde Moshood, said Keyamo has consistently emphasised the need to create sustainable financing structures for Nigerian airlines and modernize airport infrastructure through transparent public-private partnerships.

He noted that the summit reflects a deliberate policy shift towards structured engagement with international capital markets and aircraft leasing institutions, ensuring Nigeria carriers have improved access to competitive aircraft financing while positioning the country as a secure and bankable aviation investment destination.

He noted that “Nigeria presents one of Africa’s most compelling aviation investment opportunities. With a population exceeding 220 million people and air transport serving as an essential mode of mobility, the country offers a balanced return profile across airline operations and long-term airport infrastructure concessions.

“Africa is projected to be the fastest-growing aviation region globally, with passenger traffic expected to grow at approximately 6 per cent annually through 2044. Within this trajectory, Nigeria stands as a natural anchor market for long-term aviation and airport infrastructure expansion.

“Despite its demographic and economic scale, Nigeria remains structurally underserved in aviation capacity. The market currently supports approximately 15–16 million annual air passengers, with projections indicating growth to 25.7 million passengers by 2029 — a clear reflection of strong underlying demand.

“The country remains a key aviation gateway in West Africa, with direct international air links to over 30 destinations across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America. This connectivity underpins trade, diaspora engagement, tourism, and business mobility, reinforcing Nigeria’s strategic role as a regional hub.”

Moshood also stated that the Nigeria Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit marks a defining step in reshaping Nigeria’s aviation financing landscape.