Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, has highlighted the critical importance of a vibrant aviation sector to the African economy during the ongoing Third ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels in Dubai.
Addressing global aviation stakeholders, he emphasized the need for coordinated efforts in developing, producing, and deploying Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF).
Keyamo underscored Africa’s vast landmass, home to over one billion people, as a compelling reason for establishing a robust aviation system to facilitate the efficient movement of people and goods.
He expressed the commitment of African nations, working through AFCAC, to accelerate the development and deployment of SAF and other cleaner energy sources for aviation.
Speaking about the continent’s future plans for the aviation sector, Keyamo stated, “Central to this growth and development is our realization that environmental sustainability and tackling climate change will contribute to the sustainable development of air transport, especially in Africa.”
He highlighted the Single African Air Transport Market as a flagship project under Agenda 2063, aiming to transform the aviation industry in Africa and foster socio-economic development and integration.
The minister urged global aviation stakeholders to collaborate in achieving a collective long-term global goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Acknowledging the challenges related to the cost and affordability of SAF, Keyamo emphasized the need for a global framework that addresses availability, reliability, and affordability, ensuring no country is left behind in developing, producing, and deploying cleaner energy solutions for aviation.
He stressed the importance of a robust and targeted institutional strengthening, capacity building, technology transfer, and access to financing, particularly for developing countries.
The minister emphasized the necessity of simple, clear, and easily accessible financing for the development, production, and deployment of SAF and other cleaner energy solutions.
