IATA names Keyamo among four prominent aviators in Africa

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has been unveiled and recognised by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as one of Africa’s top four prominent aviators.

The choice of Keyamo was announced by IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Alawadhi, at a special session at the ongoing IATA Focus Africa Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

In a post by the minister, Alawadhi, in his remarks, cited Nigeria’s clear policy direction, strategic reforms, and unwavering commitment to global aviation standards as the basis for the recognition.

Alawadhi specifically highlighted Nigeria’s effective administration of the Cape Town Convention and IDERA framework, as well as the country’s impressive 91.4% score in ICAO safety oversight, positioning Nigeria among the leading aviation nations in Africa.

Also named among Africa’s top prominent aviators are Teresia Mbaika Malokwe, Principal Secretary, State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Kenya; Poppy Khosa, Director of Civil Aviation/CEO, South African Civil Aviation Authority (recently reappointed for a second five-year term) and Mesfin Tasew, Group Chief Executive Officer, Ethiopian Airlines.