In a major boost to African aviation cooperation, Nigeria and Egypt have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and an Enhanced Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) aimed at strengthening aviation ties between both nations.
The signing ceremony took place in Abuja on Monday, July 28, 2025, during the official visit of Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Badr Abdellatty, to Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN.
According to the Minister’s spokesman, Mr. Tunde Moshood, the agreement builds upon commitments first made during the 2024 International Civil Aviation Negotiations (ICAN) Conference and represents a key milestone in Nigeria’s quest to deepen bilateral aviation cooperation across the continent.
During the brief but symbolic event, Minister Keyamo described the agreement as a “strategic breakthrough” that aligns with both countries’ mutual aspirations to improve air connectivity, enhance technical collaboration, and unlock investment potential in aviation.
“This agreement is not only a fulfilment of the engagements we started during ICAN 2024 but also a bold step toward enhancing air connectivity, boosting tourism, promoting trade, and fostering knowledge transfer in aviation management and infrastructure,” Keyamo stated.
The enhanced BASA provides for greater route access and operational flexibility for designated airlines from both countries, while the MoU outlines areas of technical cooperation, training programmes, and infrastructure development initiatives.
Dr. Abdellatty, in his remarks, emphasized Egypt’s strong desire to build a lasting and mutually beneficial partnership with Nigeria—particularly in sectors where aviation acts as a catalyst for broader economic growth. He lauded Minister Keyamo’s leadership and Nigeria’s strides in reforming its aviation sector, noting that Egypt considers Nigeria a strategic partner in Africa.
The event was witnessed by top-level officials from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, including the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni, and members of the Egyptian diplomatic mission in Nigeria.
Mr. Tunde Moshood, who released the statement on behalf of the Honourable Minister, noted that the development is part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s aviation sector by encouraging international partnerships, adopting modern regulatory frameworks, and driving private sector investment in aviation infrastructure.
The Nigeria–Egypt aviation deal is expected to accelerate air transport growth, foster economic collaboration, and position both countries as key players in regional and global aviation networks.
