Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to attracting investment in the aviation sector, emphasizing that Nigeria warmly welcomes potential investors. Keyamo conveyed this message during his meeting with the Egyptian Minister of Civil Aviation, Lt. Gen Mohammed Abbas Helmy (Rtd), held in his office in Abuja on Friday.
While expressing gratitude to the Egyptian Civil Aviation team for their offers of Maintenance, Repairs, and Overhaul (MRO) services and various technical support to Nigeria’s aviation sector, Keyamo highlighted the Nigerian government’s determination to revolutionize the aviation industry by inviting innovative minds to contribute to its growth. He pointed out that Nigeria’s vast population and extensive market make it an appealing destination for investment.
Keyamo remarked, “Many African nations have encountered liquidity challenges, which have adversely affected aviation sector development, particularly in terms of infrastructure, such as terminals, runways, and safety equipment.”
In response, Lt. Gen Helmy (Rtd), the Egyptian Aviation Minister, emphasized the alignment of Egypt and Nigeria’s ambitions and aspirations, underscoring the importance of cooperation to leverage the collective experience of both nations. He recognized civil aviation as a significant revenue generator for the national economy and offered concessions for managing Nigerian airports and constructing airports in alignment with Nigeria’s preferences through private sector involvement.
Furthermore, Lt. Gen Helmy (Rtd) noted that Egypt Air Company possesses a dedicated MRO facility ready to provide substantial support, suggesting that this could be another area of collaboration between the two countries. He concluded 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 of this year.
