The African Development Bank Group has launched a new continent-wide initiative aimed at transforming Africa’s aviation sector and attracting large-scale investment.
The program, called the Integrated Aviation Transformation Program, or IATP, was unveiled at the Airlines, Capital and Connectivity Forum held in Nairobi, Kenya, on February 25–26, 2026.
The IATP seeks to modernize Africa’s aviation ecosystem by aligning policy reforms, mobilizing private and institutional financing, and facilitating bankable aviation projects across the continent.
Opening the forum, the Bank’s Director for Infrastructure and Urban Development, Mike Salawou, said the program is designed to reduce investment risks, support early pilot projects, and restore confidence among commercial and development financiers.
“Africa’s aviation demand is among the strongest globally, but supply-side capacity and investment readiness have lagged,” Salawou said. “The IATP will address these gaps and unlock Africa’s aviation potential.”
Industry leaders highlighted the scale of the opportunity. Abderahmane Berthé, Secretary General of the African Airlines Association, said Africa represents nearly 18 percent of the global population but accounts for less than three percent of worldwide air traffic, underscoring the need for structural reforms and greater investment.
The forum also emphasized that improved connectivity is essential for trade, tourism, and regional integration, with intra-African flights currently representing only a quarter of total air travel.
Officials from countries including Nigeria, Kenya, and Ethiopia shared experiences showing how the IATP can translate continental goals into practical, bankable projects.
The forum concluded with a clear message: Africa’s aviation demand is accelerating, and the IATP platform provides the policy, capital, and technical framework needed to turn that demand into sustainable growth and regional integration.
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