Nigeria secures continental spotlight as Lagos prepares for ACI‑Africa 2026

Nigeria’s aviation sector is preparing for a defining moment as the country readies itself to host the ACI‑Africa Regional Conference and Exhibition in 2026, an event confirmed through high‑level engagements between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Airports Council International officials. Multiple industry reports and official communications affirm Nigeria’s readiness, with sources noting the event is slated for late 2026—variously mentioned as September and October  across available updates.

The confirmation followed the visit of ACI‑Africa Secretary‑General Ali Tounsi, who met with Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to evaluate national support and inspect proposed facilities. The mission formed part of ACI‑Africa’s official readiness assessment procedure undertaken ahead of major continental gatherings. After touring sites with FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku, Mr. Tounsi expressed confidence in the country’s preparations, a sentiment echoed by several reports highlighting Nigeria’s demonstrated capacity to host a world‑class event.

For the African aviation trade, this development is particularly significant. Hosting the ACI‑Africa conference positions Nigeria at the centre of continental dialogue on airport development, sustainability, technology modernisation and investment. Reports confirm that the conference will attract senior leaders, regulators and business decision‑makers from across the globe. As one of Africa’s largest aviation markets—with a rapidly expanding passenger base and ongoing infrastructure reforms—Nigeria is strategically placed to leverage this international exposure.

Minister Keyamo’s reaffirmation of government backing reinforces the national ambition to project Nigeria as a credible and influential aviation hub. He emphasised that hosting aligns with broader reforms underway to strengthen and modernise the industry, comments supported across local communications and verified through ministerial statements. The aviation sector has been undergoing phased transformations, from terminal refurbishments and concession strategies to an increasingly coordinated approach to safety, regulatory oversight and commercial positioning. The upcoming conference provides a platform to showcase this renewed energy.

FAAN’s leadership, under Mrs. Kuku, has also assured stakeholders that Nigeria will deliver an event that meets international expectations. In public briefings, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, noted that the visit strengthened confidence in the country’s capabilities and demonstrated the agency’s readiness to host a successful, high‑impact gathering. This narrative is consistent with industry sentiment that Nigeria is prepared to welcome large‑scale aviation events and actively contribute to the sector’s strategic discourse.

For travel‑trade professionals across sub‑Saharan Africa, the implications are far‑reaching. Large conferences of this scale act as catalysts for investment, partnership and knowledge exchange. With the event expected to bring together airport CEOs, technology developers, service providers, infrastructure financiers and policy leaders, Nigeria gains a valuable opportunity to deepen its aviation network and access new streams of international collaboration. Reports from various sources highlight that the event is designed to facilitate structured engagement on airport development and future challenges.

The choice of Lagos as host city reinforces its role as one of Africa’s most active entry points, both for business travellers and for aviation stakeholders seeking a centralised platform for continental discussions. As home to Murtala Muhammed International Airport—one of West Africa’s busiest hubs—Lagos provides natural visibility for ongoing terminal improvements, service upgrades and planned expansions.

Industry observers note that hosting ACI‑Africa also strengthens FAAN’s ongoing reform agenda. In recent years, Nigeria has prioritised improvements across passenger experience, terminal capacity, cargo handling, security screening, airside operations and digitalisation. The event creates an opening to highlight these changes to a global audience, attract investors exploring new airport concession opportunities and present Nigeria as a collaborative environment for aviation‑sector innovation.

Beyond commercial gains, the conference is expected to stimulate foreign investment, boost connectivity and enhance regional positioning for Nigeria. As one of Africa’s most dynamic aviation markets—despite infrastructure and regulatory pressures—the country stands to benefit from increased attention to its long‑term development strategies. By hosting, Nigeria signals its commitment to greater continental integration and to shaping the future of Africa’s airport ecosystem, a message echoed in post‑visit communications that emphasised readiness and ambition.

The impact is also expected to extend into tourism, hospitality and ground operations. Large‑scale aviation and airport conferences generate significant demand for hotels, venues, catering, corporate transport and local services. Lagos, with its growing inventory of internationally branded hotels and new upscale developments, stands to benefit from an influx of delegates, exhibitors and visiting executives. For the African travel trade, this presents new opportunities to align products with business tourism demand and enhance Lagos’s appeal as a meetings and events destination.

Furthermore, bringing ACI‑Africa’s annual gathering to Nigeria reinforces the country’s long‑standing aspiration to be a leading voice in regional aviation policy. Nigeria has historically advocated for stronger intra‑African connectivity, fairer competition, modernised airport management models and increased investment in aviation safety. Hosting the conference places the country at the heart of these discussions, strengthening its credibility among regional peers and global stakeholders.

The event’s return to West Africa also comes at a pivotal moment in global aviation, where issues such as decarbonisation, airport digitalisation, safety technology, airspace efficiency and workforce development dominate industry agendas. Nigeria’s active involvement in these debates—coupled with its visible readiness to host—positions it as an essential contributor to Africa’s aviation future.

For sub‑Saharan Africa’s tourism professionals, Nigeria’s hosting of ACI‑Africa expands the continent’s capacity for aviation‑driven economic development. By bringing the region’s leading aviation decision‑makers together in Lagos, the event underscores the continent’s commitment to sustainable, future‑ready aviation growth. And for Nigeria, it marks a strategic moment to demonstrate leadership, promote its reforms and secure its place as one of Africa’s most influential aviation players.