Keyamo Holds Talks with Aercap, Afreximbank to Boost Nigeria’s Aviation Financing
The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has held high-level talks with global aircraft leasing giant Aercap and Africa’s foremost trade finance institution, Afreximbank, in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s aviation financing framework, accelerate fleet modernisation, and enhance the competitiveness of local airlines.
The conference convenes leading aircraft lessors, financiers, airline executives and policymakers from across the world, offering Nigeria a strategic platform to engage international partners on access to modern aircraft, stronger airline balance sheets and sustainable growth across the aviation value chain.
Keyamo’s delegation includes major industry leaders and regulators such as the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Ona Najomo; Director of Air Traffic Management at the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Ahmed Tijani; and airline chief executives including Toyin Olajide (Air Peace), Dr. Obiora Okonkwo (United Nigeria Airlines) and Mr. George Urensi (Ibom Air), among other stakeholders.
For the second consecutive year, Nigeria’s participation drew strong attention at the conference, following the Minister’s widely praised performance at last year’s edition. This year’s engagement further reinforced Nigeria’s growing influence and credibility within the global aviation financing community.
Nigeria’s aviation transformation drive gathered momentum on the second day of the conference when the Minister led the delegation in a strategic engagement with Aercap, the world’s largest aircraft leasing company, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Angus Kelly.
The discussions centred on forging a long-term partnership aligned with Nigeria’s fleet modernisation goals and the need to strengthen operational capacity among local airline operators. Both sides explored innovative leasing models, flexible financing structures and practical pathways for fleet renewal to enable Nigerian carriers access to modern, fuel-efficient aircraft.
These initiatives are expected to improve operational efficiency, enhance safety standards, reduce operating costs and strengthen the competitiveness of Nigerian airlines on regional and global routes.
The delegation also held high-level talks with Afreximbank, led by Ms. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development, and Ms. Helen Brume, Director and Global Head, Project and Asset-Based Finance.
The meeting underscored Nigeria’s resolve to deepen aviation finance partnerships and leverage Afreximbank’s role in supporting African carriers through structured financing, trade-enabling instruments and risk-mitigation solutions.
Discussions highlighted a shared commitment to a collaborative government–industry approach that places aviation at the centre of economic growth, regional integration and intra-African trade, with emphasis on fleet development, airline sustainability and financing frameworks capable of unlocking long-term value for Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.
Through these engagements, the Minister continues to pursue proactive, market-facing aviation diplomacy, ensuring Nigeria remains attractive to global lessors, financiers and investors while delivering a stronger, safer and more competitive aviation sector for the country.
