Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to welcoming investments in the aviation sector.
He stated that Nigeria’s doors are wide open to potential investors.
Keyamo made this declaration during a meeting with Lt. Gen. Mohammed Abbas Helmy (Rtd), the Egyptian Minister of Civil Aviation, held in his office in Abuja.
While expressing appreciation for the offers made by the Egyptian Civil Aviation team, including Maintenance, Repairs, and Overhaul (MRO) services, as well as technical support for Nigeria’s aviation sector, Keyamo emphasized the government’s determination to revitalize the aviation industry by inviting innovative individuals and organizations to contribute to its development.
He pointed out that Nigeria, with its sizable population and market potential, is an attractive destination for investment.
“Many African countries are facing financial challenges, and this is affecting the aviation sector, particularly in terms of infrastructure such as terminals, runways, and safety equipment,” Keyamo noted.
The Egyptian Aviation Minister, Lt. Gen. Helmy (Rtd), highlighted the similarities in the ambitions and aspirations of Egypt and Nigeria. He stressed the importance of cooperation to leverage the experience and expertise of both nations.
He emphasized that civil aviation plays a crucial role in contributing to the national economy, and Egypt is offering opportunities for concessioning Nigerian airports and constructing airports in line with Nigeria’s objectives through private sector involvement.
Furthermore, he mentioned that Egypt Air, the national carrier, operates an MRO facility that can provide essential support and collaboration opportunities for both countries.
Lt. Gen. Helmy concluded the meeting by extending an invitation to Minister Keyamo and officials from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to visit Egypt for an exploratory trip to Cairo in November this year. This visit aims to further solidify the collaboration and explore potential ventures that can enhance the aviation sectors of both nations.