The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN has emphasised the government’s keen interest in investing in the aviation sector, declaring that Nigeria welcomes investors with open arms.
Keyamo made this declaration during a meeting with the Egyptian Minister of Civil Aviation, Lt. Gen Mohammed Abbas Helmy (Rtd.), in his office in Abuja.
Expressing his gratitude to the Egyptian Civil Aviation team for offering Maintenance, Repairs & Overhaul (MRO) services and other technical support to Nigeria’s aviation sector, Keyamo underlined the government’s commitment to transforming the aviation industry. He invited innovative minds to collaborate in developing the sector, highlighting Nigeria’s attractiveness for investment due to its large population and expansive market.
“Many African countries are grappling with liquidity issues, which have affected aviation sector development, particularly in terms of infrastructure like terminals, runways and safety equipment,” Keyamo noted.
Helmy echoed these sentiments, emphasising the shared ambitions and aspirations of Egypt and Nigeria. He stressed that cooperation between the two nations would allow them to leverage their collective experience effectively.
The Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority is offering concessions to manage Nigerian airports and construct airports in line with Nigeria’s requirements through private sector involvement. EgyptAir also operates an MRO facility, offering vital support that could foster collaboration between the two countries.
Concluding the meeting, Helmy extended an invitation to Keyamo and officials from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to visit Egypt for exploratory discussions in Cairo, scheduled for November this year.
