The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, has said that Africa’s airport sector is experiencing strong recovery and growth, with Nigeria playing a leading role in driving passenger and cargo expansion across the continent.
According to newsbulletinng, speaking at the close of the ACI Africa Regional Conference & Exhibition in Luanda, Angola, Kuku noted that recent data presented at the gathering confirmed a steady rebound in traffic and cargo volumes across African airports, underlining aviation’s role in trade, tourism and economic development.
She highlighted Nigeria’s standout performance, with Murtala Muhammed International Airport recording an 11.8 per cent growth in air traffic movements in 2025, one of the fastest rates among Africa’s leading airports while cargo throughput surged by 34.4 per cent, the highest increase among the continent’s top 10 hubs.
Nigeria’s domestic market also ranked among the largest in Africa, handling over 10.5 million passengers, a 10 per cent year-on-year increase, according to the Official Airline Guide.
Both Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport featured among Africa’s top 10 airports for domestic passenger traffic, reinforcing the country’s position as the continent’s second-largest domestic aviation market.
The MD FAAN said the figures reflect broader continental trends of rising passenger demand, stronger cargo activity and increasing pressure on airports to modernise and build resilience through innovation and partnerships.
She added that Nigeria’s growing traffic and cargo volumes underscore its expanding role as a strategic aviation and logistics hub in Africa, as stakeholders shift focus from recovery to long-term performance and sustainability.
Looking ahead, she announced that Nigeria will host the next ACI Africa conference in Abuja from September 19 to 25, 2026, where industry leaders will further explore strategies to enhance airport performance, resilience and connectivity across the continent.
Kuku commended the Angolan government, airport authorities and organisers, including Airports Council International Africa and Sociedade Gestora de Aeroportos, for hosting a successful conference centred on the theme “Stronger Airports, Stronger Africa,” noting that airports remain critical drivers of trade, tourism and economic growth across the continent
