Aviation
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has called for stronger institutional credibility, regulatory certainty and project discipline to attract sustainable investments into Africa’s aviation sector.
Speaking at an aviation financing and infrastructure forum recently, Kuku said successful Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models are not driven solely by capital availability but by investor confidence in regulatory frameworks and project continuity.
Using the long-running concession dispute involving the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MM2) as an example, she disclosed that the Federal Government has successfully renegotiated the concession agreement with Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited.
According to her, the renegotiated agreement has received approval at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) level, providing greater certainty for investors while ensuring a fair balance between government and private-sector interests.
She emphasised the importance of clear governance structures for concession arrangements and called on development finance institutions (DFIs) and private investors to prioritize projects that strengthen regional connectivity across Africa.
Kuku also advocated the establishment of national aviation delivery teams comprising stakeholders from aviation, transport, security and other relevant sectors to ensure coordinated infrastructure planning and implementation.
She argued against creating new aviation financing institutions, suggesting instead that existing financial institutions establish specialized aviation desks with the technical expertise needed to assess and support bankable aviation projects.
Drawing from her experience both as an airport operator and former infrastructure finance professional, Kuku noted that one of the major challenges facing financiers is the shortage of properly prepared, bankable projects.
She explained that FAAN is implementing a strategic roadmap for Nigeria’s airports, focusing on terminal development, airside infrastructure, cargo facilities, safety and security upgrades, as well as digital transformation initiatives.
According to her, Nigeria’s aviation growth potential lies significantly in transit passengers and cargo operations. Despite a population exceeding 220 million people, the country records only about 17 million passenger movements annually, highlighting substantial room for growth.
To improve passenger experience, FAAN has begun deploying digital solutions, including e-gates, Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record (API/PNR) systems, biometric processing and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for baggage handling.
She added that FAAN is also evaluating infrastructure requirements at secondary airports, with plans to combine government intervention in non-bankable safety-critical infrastructure with private-sector participation in commercially viable projects, particularly cargo and regional connectivity initiatives.
Kuku concluded by urging governments, financiers and industry stakeholders to collaborate on project preparation, financing structures and delivery timelines to accelerate aviation infrastructure development across the continent.
F.O
Tags: Africa’s Aviation FAAN MD Kuku