African Airport Finances Top Agenda as ACI Africa Meets in Abuja
African airport finances lead the agenda in Abuja, where ACI Africa's chief said about 80% of the continent's airports are not efficient financially. The post African Airport Finances Top Agenda as ACI Africa Meets in Abuja appeared first on The Rio Times .
ACI Africa, the airport association for the continent, is meeting in Abuja, Nigeria to discuss the financial challenges facing African airports. According to Ali Tounsi, the head of ACI Africa, about 80% of the continent's airports are not financially efficient. This figure is based on an informal estimate and not backed by a published study.
Tounsi noted that efficient airports are typically large hubs, while smaller airports often struggle with fixed costs. He listed digitalization, the environment, skills and people as additional challenges facing African airports. The conference, themed "Next-Gen Airports: Driving Performance and Resilience," will run from September 19 to 25, 2026, and is expected to attract over 500 participants and 40 speakers.
Nigerian airports are said to be modernizing but still lagging behind other markets. The African Development Bank recently signed a $10 billion financing agreement for Ethiopia's planned Bishoftu International Airport, with the project expected to open in 2029. The financing, however, is still in progress. Airport inefficiencies can lead to fewer direct routes, older terminals, and higher ticket charges for travelers, affecting both individuals and investors.
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