Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has been appointed by the African Development Bank as the African Champion for its newly launched Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme for Africa (IATP), a $7 billion initiative aimed at revitalising the continent’s aviation sector.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Brazzaville, Congo, the bank said the appointment was in recognition of Nigeria’s leadership and policy reforms targeted at transforming the nation’s aviation industry.

As part of the initiative, the African Development Bank invited Keyamo to its Annual Meeting scheduled for May 28 in Brazzaville, where the formal signing of a Letter of Intent between Nigeria and the bank is expected to take place.

The Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme for Africa is a continent-wide initiative designed to modernise Africa’s aviation ecosystem while mobilising private, institutional and concessional funding for the sector.

According to the bank, African airlines currently account for less than three per cent of global air traffic despite the continent representing nearly 18 per cent of the world’s population.

“The Aviation Minister is now expected to bring his knowledge, commitment and passion to drive this programme across Africa,” the statement said.

The bank also expressed appreciation to the minister for his commitment to advancing aviation development on the continent.