Abuja, Nigeria — The African Development Bank (AfDB) is partnering with the Nigerian government, the African Union Commission (AUC), and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Agency to co-host the third ICAO World Aviation Forum from November 20-22 in Abuja, Nigeria.

The Forum on the theme, 'Financing the Development of Aviation Infrastructure' will build on the outcomes of the previous events held in Montréal in 2015 and 2016.

The third ICAO World Aviation Forum (IWAF/3) brings together high-level government officials responsible for aviation, transport and infrastructure, finance, economy, and tourism; and key industry and financial partners.

The Forum is intended to explore the benefits of the aviation sector to the social, economic development and prosperity of member States. It will also discuss, identify needs, and facilitate the funding and financing required to accelerate the implementation of international civil aviation global standards and policies, as well as global plans for aviation, in support of ICAO's No Country Left Behind (NCLB) initiative.

AfDB Commits to the Development of Africa's Aviation Industry

The recent opening of Senegal's 525 million euro International Blaise Diagne Airport (AIBD) marks another milestone in a year that has seen the African Development Bank (AfDB) making major investments and forming new partnerships to develop Africa's air transportation, a strategic component of the Bank's High 5 agenda to integrate Africa. Senegal's new airport was co-financed by AfDB and 3 million passengers are expected to go through the airport annually. AfDB has invested close to US $1 billion over the past decade in the construction and expansion of airport terminals, as well as aviation safety and aircraft financing. More on AfDB in this BRIEFING. 

The African Development Bank's investment in aviation forms part of a larger effort to boost infrastructure development in Africa.

The Bank delegation to the Forum will be led by President Akinwumi Adesina. The delegation includes Pierre Guislain, Vice-President, Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization.

President Adesina will deliver a keynote address at the opening ceremony on the morning of November 20. The opening ceremony will also feature President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, and Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson, African Union Commission (AUC), who is scheduled to make some remarks.

A highlight of the Bank's participation is the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to jointly develop and implement programmes and projects, through measures including technical cooperation for capacity building. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), founded in 1945, is the trade association for the world's airlines, representing some 275 airlines in 117 countries (37 airlines in 21 African countries).

The Forum will end with the adoption of a declaration and plan of action for aviation infrastructure development in Africa.