By Abubakar Yunusa
Nigeria’s aviation sector has secured a major aircraft financing and leasing partnership with Aircraft Finance Germany and Fidelity Bank Plc, in a move aimed at easing operators’ access to aircraft.
The agreement was sealed at the maiden Nigerian Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit 2026.
This was disclosed in a statement over the weekend by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Tunde Moshood.
Moshood said the partnership is expected to unlock fresh opportunities for local airlines by improving access to acquisition and leasing options.
He noted that the collaboration would combine the technical expertise of Aircraft Finance Germany with the financial strength of Fidelity Bank to deliver structured and sustainable financing solutions.
He said, “The summit exceeded expectations, producing concrete commitments and deal pathways capable of repositioning Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.”
The spokesman explained that the summit, an initiative of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, was designed to tackle long-standing challenges in aircraft financing and leasing.
Moshood said discussions were held across four deal rooms focusing on finance, regulation, policy and infrastructure.
He disclosed that in Deal Room A, five Nigerian operators advanced leasing and acquisition talks with global manufacturers, signalling progress towards fleet expansion.
In Deal Room B, the Central Bank of Nigeria committed to facilitating a sector-wide awareness session in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee.
He added that aircraft manufacturer Embraer pledged to expose Nigerian operators to export credit financing, while FSD Asset Finance undertook to develop a working paper to guide aviation investments.
In Deal Room C, the National Insurance Commission promised to clarify the 10 per cent local retention policy on aircraft acquisition and provide technical support to operators.
Moshood further revealed that Deal Room D focused on infrastructure, with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and Afreximbank agreeing to strengthen collaboration on key aviation projects.
He said FAAN also committed to developing bankable projects for submission to the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission.
According to him, First Metro Infrastructure and Afreximbank are also advancing discussions on an aerotropolis project at the Lagos airport.
Moshood said the agreements reached at the summit would enhance access to aircraft, strengthen financing frameworks and deepen collaboration across the aviation value chain.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Chris Najomo, announced that the second edition of the summit will hold on April 1 and 2, 2027.Despite OPEC+’s planned increase signalling efforts to calm markets, experts warn that ongoing supply disruptions may render the policy largely ineffective in the short term.
