Capt.Chris Najomo(2nd right)

 

 

QUESTION 1

 

What are the challenges African States face in balancing national carrier protectionism with the need for liberalization and regional connectivity?

 

African states face a number of challenges in balancing national carrier protectionism with the need for liberalization and regional connectivity. These challenges stem from political, economic, regulatory, and infrastructural factors.

 

However, as part of Government of Nigeria policy trust, my administration through the backing of the Honourable Minister, support the growth and sustenance of local airline businesses whilst holding them to the highest international standards in the aviation industry.

Some of these challenges are:

 

1. National airlines are national pride and identity: Governments are aware that liberalization is best for air connectivity, however Government find it difficult to embrace full liberalization and instead practice protectionisms to shield their airline from competition. There is also the fear that liberalization will undermine their national carrier’s market share and profitability.
2. Slow Implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM): Many African states delay the implementation of SAATM because of the fear that they will loss control of certain routes which may negatively impacts on their national airlines.
3. Absence of Economic Regulations: Most African States have not yet developed robust Economic Regulation to provide the needed assistance in balancing the needs for liberalization of the regional routes.
4. Lack of autonomous Civil Aviation Authorities: Some States are yet to have autonomous aviation sector. They therefore do not practice globally accepted practices in air transport liberalization.
5. Visa Barriers: Benefits of liberalised air transport especially ease in movement of passengers are not achieved under strict visa regimes between African States.The African Union 2063 initiative of the African passport and free movement of people and goods can help Foster trade and tourism whilst increasing inter African connectivity amongst member states.
6. Consumer Impact and Policy Disconnect: Protectionism often leads to fewer carriers, poor service quality, and higher ticket prices for consumers. There is often a disconnect between aviation, tourism, and trade policies that undermines liberalisation goals.

 

Question2

 

Can you share your country’s experience on how government prioritize investment in aviation infrastructure as part of national development and regional partnership on airline?

 

The Nigerian government has increasingly prioritized aviation infrastructure development and regional airline partnerships as strategic tools to drive national economic growth, improve connectivity, and strengthen regional integration.

 

1. Nigerian government allocates funds in its annual budget for key infrastructure project for construction and upgrade of Airport infrastructure and air navigation Services such as: –

 

• Airport Upgrades and Concessions
• Rehabilitation and Expansion of Terminals: Major international airports (Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu) are undergoing terminal expansion and modernization projects.
• Airport Concession Program: The ongoing plan by the government on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) concession of key international airports is aimed at improving efficiency, infrastructure, and service delivery.
• Development of New Infrastructure
• Cargo Terminals and Free Trade Zones: Nigeria government is focusing on expanding cargo facilities and integrating them with Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to promote exports.
• Aerotropolis Projects: There is ongoing plans to develop airport cities around key airports (e.g., Lagos, Abuja) to boost logistics, tourism, and commercial activities.
• Navigation and Safety Systems
• Modernization of Air Navigation Services through the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is also ongoing, including:
  • Deployment of satellite-based navigation systems (GNSS)
  • Upgrade of radar systems and communication infrastructure for better air traffic control and safety compliance

1. Nigeria continues to support Yamoussoukro Decision, SAATM & other Multilateral Agreement:

• As signatory to SAATM, it is committed to opening its skies to African airlines, aligning with continental goals of liberalized air transport.
• Nigeria has signed BASA in line AFCAC YD-Compliant ASA with some of the thirty-eight (38) SAATM countries, including the provisions of unrestricted first to fifth freedom traffic rights on Passengers and full liberalization on Cargo;
• At the recently concluded 18 Banjul Accord Group (BAG) Plenary meeting in Abuja, the BAG Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the ideals of the Banjul Accord Group and full implementation of Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
• Nigeria has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with neighboring countries in the areas of Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) & Search and Rescue (SAR).

1. Nigeria government is actively promoting the growth of Domestic Airlines through targeted policies such as the “Fly Nigeria Act,” aimed to prioritize Nigerian airlines for government-sponsored air travel. This is designed to support local operators, ensuring their sustainability and boosting the local and regional aviation industry.
2. Nigeria has domesticated the Cape Town Convention in the Civil Aviation Act 2022 and have signed the Irrevocable De-registration and Export Request Authorization (IDERA) in October 2024
   70. This has increased the Nigeria’s score on the CTC Compliance Index from 70.5% to 75.5%, placing the country in the ‘high category’ and the subsequent removal of Nigeria from the Aviation Working Group (AWG’s) watchlist of non-compliant countries.
   71. The signing of IDERA has allowed Nigerian airlines to access leased aircraft more easily, thereby boosting operational capacity, international confidence that would support Nigeria airline expansion on the regional routes
3. Also, one of the Agenda of the Honourable Minister of Aviation is the development of human capacity within the industry.
4. There is ongoing discussion of regional partnership on airline and my government supports this due to the immense benefit that it will provide the sub-region and Africa as a whole
5. Nigerian government places emphasis on aviation infrastructure and positions the sector for a conducive investment environment.

 

4. Cross-Cutting / Wrap-Up Questions for All Panelists

 

1. How can the air transport sector better demonstrate its value as an enabler of trade, tourism, and investment to African policymakers?

 

Answer – To better demonstrate its value as a strategic enabler of trade, tourism, and investment, the air transport sector in Africa must go beyond technical advocacy and adopt a multidimensional, data-driven, and partnership-based approach. This can be done by

 

• Link aviation directly to AfCFTA goals (African Continental Free Trade Area) to show how improved air connectivity reduces transport time and costs, enhancing intra-African trade.
• Ensure aviation policy is reflected in national development plans and sectoral strategies (e.g., tourism, logistics, manufacturing).
• Advocate for Policy Reforms with Tangible Benefits while pushing for:

• • Full implementation of SAATM
  • Reduction in aviation taxes and charges
  • Harmonized visa regimes
  • Investment in airport and air navigation infrastructure

 

2. What collaborative mechanisms can be enhanced or created among States, RECs, airlines, and the AUC to accelerate air connectivity improvements?

Answer – Accelerating air connectivity in Africa requires deep, structured collaboration.

• There is need to enhance the Role of AFCAC as SAATM Executing Agency, to align regional aviation strategies with continental liberalisation goals.
• enhance inter-REC coordination through regular forums to coordinate air transport policies across RECs and link them to the AfCFTA and AU Agenda 2063.
• support sub-regional aviation cooperation initiative such as the Banjul Accord Group,
• support airline partnerships i.e., encourage AFRAA members to facilitate a Pan-African Airline Alliances through code-sharing agreements, joint ventures, or regional alliances to expand networks without duplicating capacity.

Therefore, by aligning aviation with broader continental goals, African stakeholders can create a truly integrated airspace that fuels economic growth, tourism, and intra-African trade.

 

3. Looking ahead, what are the top three priorities that must be addressed to make African air transport a true driver of sustainable economic development in five years’ time by 2030?

To make African air transport a true driver of sustainable economic development by 2030, the top three priorities that must be addressed are:

1. Market liberalisation through the Full Implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM)

• Why it matters: SAATM is key to liberalizing air services across Africa, enhancing intra-African connectivity, reducing airfare costs, and boosting trade, tourism, and investment.
• How?:

• • Accelerate ratification and implementation by all African Union member states.
  • Eliminate protectionist restrictions and grant 5th Freedom rights.
  • Establish a strong monitoring and dispute resolution mechanism.

 

2. Infrastructure modernisation through investment in Aviation Infrastructure and Technology

• Why it matters: Most African airports, air navigation services, and safety/security systems are outdated or under-capacity, hindering efficiency and growth.
• How?:

• • Modernize airport terminals, runways, and air traffic management systems.
  • Expand regional hubs and build maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities.
  • Promote public-private partnerships (PPPs) to attract sustainable investment.

 

3. Human Capital Development and Regulatory Oversight

• Why it matters: Skilled professionals and strong institutions are crucial for safety, service quality, and innovation in aviation.
• How?:

• • Invest in aviation training institutions and harmonize licensing standards across Africa.
  • Strengthen Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs) to meet ICAO oversight standards.
  • Promote gender inclusion and youth employment in the aviation sector by partnering With ICAO Next Generation of Aviation Proffesionals (NGAP)and the Civil Aviation Master Plan (CAMP) Programmes.