In a significant move to enhance aviation relations between Nigeria and Angola, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, hosted Angolan Ambassador to Nigeria, José Bamoquina Zau, and his deputy, Nelson Kafikiri, at his office in Abuja on Wednesday.
The meeting, disclosed by Tunde Moshood, the Aviation Minister’s Special Assistant on Media and Communications, was aimed at exploring opportunities for collaboration and sharing expertise between the two nations. Ambassador Zau provided an update on Angola’s progress in aviation, highlighting the completion of a major overhaul of the country’s airport infrastructure.
Ambassador Zau announced that Angola’s new airport, set to become a strategic regional hub, will be officially inaugurated in one month. He conveyed warm greetings from Angola’s Minister of Transport, Ricardo de Abreu, and extended an invitation for Minister Keyamo to attend the grand opening.
“The Honourable Minister of Transport is eager to build synergy between both nations and is keen to leverage Nigeria’s rich experience in aviation leadership,” said Ambassador Zau. He emphasized that deeper cooperation could yield substantial benefits, particularly in aviation business and infrastructure development.
In response, Minister Keyamo expressed his congratulations to the Angolan government for its achievements in aviation infrastructure and confirmed his intention to attend the inauguration of the new airport. He underscored Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate closely with Angola to improve air connectivity and explore new business opportunities.
“To ensure seamless coordination for the upcoming event, a technical committee has been established. This committee will collaborate with the Angolan Embassy’s team to manage logistics and refine plans for the Minister’s visit and potential areas of cooperation,” the statement read.
The meeting underscores the commitment of both nations to expanding their aviation sectors and fostering a mutually beneficial relationship.
