Keyamo Highlights $2.5 Billion Annual Loss in Aviation Maintenance for Africa
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has expressed concern over the significant capital flight from Africa, estimating that airlines on the continent lose more than $2.5 billion each year to foreign maintenance providers. In a paper presented at the 2026 Ethiopian Aviation Forum in Addis Ababa, Keyamo emphasized that this ongoing practice severely undermines Africa's economic and industrial growth potential.
Call for Local Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul Capabilities
Keyamo, represented by Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), challenged African nations to urgently develop local Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities. He warned that continued reliance on overseas services is neither sustainable nor strategic for the continent's aviation sector. The forum gathered aviation regulators, airline executives, investors, and industry leaders to discuss the future of African aviation.
Despite increasing passenger traffic and fleet expansion, Keyamo noted that Africa remains heavily dependent on Europe, the Middle East, and Asia for heavy aircraft maintenance. He revealed that the $2.5 billion loss to foreign MROs accounts for approximately 50 percent of Africa's heavy maintenance needs. "This capital flight is neither sustainable nor strategic," Keyamo stated. "Ethiopian Airlines has demonstrated what is possible when a nation commits to world-class MRO capability, serving not only its own fleet but also carriers across Africa and beyond."
Impact of Inadequate MRO Facilities on African Airlines
According to Keyamo, the lack of sufficient high-capacity MRO facilities in Africa forces airlines into limited options, resulting in:
- High operational costs
- Extended aircraft downtime
- Logistical complexities from ferrying aircraft overseas
He urged African countries to move beyond being passive consumers of aviation technology and actively engage in its development to bolster local industries.
United Nigeria Airlines Records Fifth Bird Strike Incident
In a related development, United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) reported another bird strike, marking its fifth such incident since January 2026. According to a statement by the airline's Public Relations Officer, Chibuike Uloka, the latest occurrence happened on Tuesday evening during the landing of flight UN0579, which operated from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja.
The aircraft, a CRJ-900, encountered the bird strike while approaching Abuja at approximately 18:15 hours. The statement assured that all incidents have been managed in full compliance with aviation safety regulations and established operational procedures, highlighting the airline's commitment to safety amidst these challenges.
