Lagos secures hosting rights for the prestigious 2026 ACI Africa Regional Conference, elevating Nigeria’s aviation profile

NIGERIA – Lagos, Nigeria, has won the bid to host the Airports Council International (ACI) Africa Regional Conference and Exhibition, scheduled for September or October 2026.

This landmark event will bring together global aviation leaders, regulators, and industry decision-makers, showcasing Nigeria’s aviation reforms and growth.

After detailed assessments, ACI-Africa Secretary General Ali Tounsi affirmed Nigeria’s readiness alongside Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo.

The Lagos-based Murtala Muhammed International Airport, West Africa’s busiest, will serve as a prime example of Nigeria’s expanding airport infrastructure and digitalization efforts during the conference.

The event will provide a global platform for Nigeria to demonstrate its leadership in airport expansion, sustainable development, and aviation technology innovation.

It is expected to boost tourism, business travel, and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) activities, benefitting Lagos’ numerous branded and luxury hotels.

Hosting ACI Africa will also strengthen Nigeria’s regional influence, fostering intra-African air connectivity, a critical issue for tourism stakeholders continent-wide.

As Nigeria prepares to welcome international airlines, investors, and policymakers, the conference underscores the country’s ambitions to be Africa’s foremost aviation hub.

Beyond economics, the aviation sector reforms underway in Nigeria, including terminal capacity upgrades and airspace modernization, will be highlighted, illustrating Nigeria’s vision of safe, efficient, and growth-driven aviation.

The conference sets the stage for Nigeria to drive collaboration across Africa’s tourism and transportation sectors, reinforcing its status as a continental aviation leader.

Lagos’ hosting of the ACI Africa Regional Conference has created a unique platform for Nigeria to establish itself as a key aviation hub on the continent.

The event will enable Nigeria to showcase its ongoing reforms and infrastructural improvements in the aviation sector.

Numerous airports across Nigeria, benefiting from modernization and digitalization, will be spotlighted, displaying the country’s capability to support a robust aviation industry.

Nigeria’s growing aviation market is poised to attract new international airlines, investors, and tourism stakeholders, contributing to long-term economic growth.

The influx of airlines and investors driven by the conference will further position Nigeria as a premier destination for air travel and tourism.

The government’s focus on creating an enabling environment through regulatory reforms and partnerships has helped build confidence among global stakeholders. This coming together of industry participants will reinforce Nigeria’s strategic leadership in African aviation.

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