Obasanjo, Kagame Headline African Air Transport Convention

June 15, () — Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, and Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, were among prominent African leaders who took centre stage at the ongoing African Air Transport Convention and Expo 2026 in Lomé, Togo, as Nigeria intensified efforts to deepen continental aviation integration and unlock Africa’s economic potential through improved air connectivity.

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, led a high-powered Nigerian delegation to receive Obasanjo at the major continental aviation gathering, which has drawn policymakers, regulators, aviation industry leaders and development partners from across Africa.

The high-level convention, hosted in Lomé, is focused on advancing discussions around air transport connectivity, regional integration, aviation sector reforms, and strategies for building sustainable aviation development frameworks capable of driving economic growth across the continent.

According to a statement issued by Keyamo’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, Obasanjo’s presence at the gathering reflects his enduring commitment to Africa’s economic integration agenda and his continued advocacy for strengthening the aviation sector as a critical catalyst for trade expansion, tourism development and cross-border economic cooperation.

Also in attendance at the convention were President of Rwanda, Kagame, and President of the Council of Ministers of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé, alongside several other African leaders, aviation stakeholders and regional policymakers seeking to chart a new path for Africa’s air transport future.

The Nigerian delegation included Secretary-General of the African Civil Aviation Commission, Adefunke Adeyemi; Single African Air Transport Market Ambassador for West Africa, Captain Juan Olubodun; and Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Chris Najomo.

Speaking on the sidelines of the convention, Keyamo reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market initiative and the African Continental Free Trade Area, stressing that enhanced air connectivity remains one of the most critical instruments for accelerating economic transformation across Africa.

He emphasised that efficient and affordable air transportation infrastructure would not only strengthen intra-African trade but also improve investment flows, tourism opportunities and regional cooperation among African nations.

The convention comes amid growing calls for African governments to dismantle longstanding regulatory bottlenecks, improve aviation infrastructure, and fully implement open-skies policies aimed at reducing travel barriers and fostering seamless movement of people, goods and services across the continent.

Nigeria’s strong participation at the summit underscores the Federal Government’s renewed determination to position the country as a major aviation hub in Africa while supporting broader continental efforts to create a more connected and economically integrated African market.