Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has called on African countries to harness emerging technologies in its bid to grow the aviation industry.
Keyamo stated this Thursday in Lagos at the Sabre Technology Expo held in Lagos where the travel technology company honoured its travel partners in the country and in West Africa.
Keyamo who was represented at the occasion by Janet Oputa, Personal Assistant to the minister, said that African governments needed to create an aviation sector that is not only efficient, but also environmentally conscious.
Keyamo explained that in the past, Africa stood at almost the bottom of innovation in the sector, but expressed the confidence that the continent was poised to occupy its rightful position in the interplay of technology and enhanced travel experience.
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He reiterated that Nigeria’s commitment to progress was unwavering and would continue to celebrate the technological advancements that would shape the future of travel for generations to come.
He added: “The skies above Africa are ready for a revolution. Nigeria and many other African countries like Egypt, Ethiopia and Kenya are investing in cutting-edge aircraft, embracing sustainable aviation fuels, improving infrastructure and fostering partnerships that will propel us into a new era of connectivity.
“In the coming years, you can expect to witness the rise of smart airports equipped with artificial intelligence, enhancing passenger experiences from check-in to boarding. We envision a seamless journey facilitated by biometric authentication, reducing wait times and ensuring security. We have played the catch-up game for too long. The energy is soaring and the determination to step out of the backwoods of development is electric.”
Keyamo maintained that development of satellite technologies by the sector would not only bolster communication and navigation, but would also play a pivotal role in monitoring and managing the natural resources.
Also, the Chairman, Sabre Network Africa, Dr. Gabriel Olowo, in his welcome address, lauded its clients for believing in the network.
Olowo, however, regretted that travelling within the continent indicated that Africa was not ready for aviation development yet as its tariffs are high, while the governments are not creating enough enabling environments for the companies in the sector.
Besides, he urged African players to embrace technology in order to enhance competition, stressing that this is critical for the aviation industry.
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