Market News

Addis Ababa|| Global aviation bodies are hailing Nigeria’s record-breaking performance in the recent International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) safety audit. With a score of 91.4 percent — the highest in the country’s history — Nigeria is being positioned as a catalyst for elevating the continent’s overall aviation standing.

The commendation was a focal point at the ongoing International Air Transport Association (IATA) Focus Africa Conference in Addis Ababa. Stakeholders gathered there to discuss the continent’s path toward safety, connectivity and efficiency.

Safety missions drive continental progress

African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) Secretary-General Adefunke Adeyemi said in her speech that countries like Nigeria are currently “leading the charts” globally. She emphasised that this progress is part of a broader, coordinated effort across the continent.

”Thirty-six safety missions have been conducted across 14 African countries, directly targeting issues and deficiencies,” Adeyemi explained. As a result, the average effective implementation score for the continent improved from 56 percent to 62 percent. This proves that safety is a joint effort.

Adeyemi further highlighted security improvements, with 22 missions across 14 countries pushing security ratings to nearly 65%. She also revealed that AFCAC is moving forward with initiatives focused on seamless security and facilitation across key African hubs.

Addressing accessibility, Adeyemi pointed to a significant easing of travel restrictions. Currently, 28% of African states offer no visa or visa-on-arrival for fellow Africans, while more than 20% utilise e-visas. Connectivity data showed even more aggressive growth: 188 air service agreements have been aligned with the Yamoussoukro Decision over the past four years.

Connectivity and the middle class opportunity

According to Adeyemi, intra-African connectivity rose from 14.5% in 2022 to 23% as of December 2025. The number of intra-African routes more than doubled, growing from 59 in 2023 to 124 as of March 2026, including 22 new “fifth freedom” routes.

Festus Keyamo, Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister l, spoke on the theme of the conference: “Elevating Aviation Safety, Connectivity, and Operational Efficiency in Africa”. He stressed that Africa’s population of 1.4-billion and its rising middle class represent a “tremendous opportunity” for growth, despite the continent currently accounting for only a small fraction of global traffic.

”Just last week, we achieved 91.4 percent — the highest in our history,” Keyamo said. “We recognise that a safe aviation system is the foundation upon which trust and growth are built. We must continue to dismantle barriers and fully embrace initiatives like the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) to promote open skies.”

While celebrating Nigeria’s success, ICAO Regional Director Lucy Mbugua reminded the delegation that disparities still exist across the continent. “While Nigeria performed very well, some states are not doing so well,” Mbugua noted.

Through the “No Country Left Behind” initiative, ICAO is working to harmonise regulatory frameworks and enhance compliance across all African civil aviation authorities. Mbugua concluded with a forward-looking warning: global passenger demand is expected to double by 2050.

”This growth will not be evenly distributed. Emerging markets in Africa are projected to grow faster than the rest of the world, underscoring the urgency of preparing our air transport systems now,” Mbugua said.