Airport Certification Delays are Hindering African Aviation Expansion: Report

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As Africa’s aviation industry strives for enhanced connectivity and seamless travel through the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), a fundamental obstacle remains: the slow pace of airport certification. A detailed regional assessment released in mid-February 2026 indicates that the continent has fallen short of its interim safety benchmarks, prompting concern among airlines, regulatory bodies, and investors. For the tourism and travel sector, this delay extends beyond mere administrative delays; it imposes real limitations on route development, insurance costs, and the broader perception of safety that fuels visitor interest.

The most recent statistics on aerodrome conditions across the Africa-Indian Ocean (AFI) region indicate gradual yet inadequate improvements. Safety oversight organisations aim for a 48% certification rate by mid-2025. 

Travel News Africa reports that, as of November 2025, data verified at that time indicate that the region achieved only 44.8% overall compliance. Although this approaches the midpoint, the deficit indicates that numerous key international airports continue to operate without the full endorsement required under international aviation protocols, particularly those established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The repercussions of lacking certification profoundly reshape the operational environment. Certification is official confirmation that an airport’s facilities, protocols, and staff adhere to rigorous global safety standards. It covers aspects ranging from runway integrity and illumination setups to the effectiveness of Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (RFFS) and strategies for managing wildlife risks. 

Without this accreditation, foreign airlines, particularly those from Europe or other stringent regulatory jurisdictions, may be reluctant to introduce new services or increase flight frequencies. For African tour operators and travel agencies, this frequently results in limited direct connections and a persistent dependence on complex, multi-leg journeys to reach less central destinations.

A concerning element in the report is the widening regional disparity in compliance. The findings illustrate an emerging “two-tier” aviation landscape on the continent. Typically, Eastern and Southern Africa are at the forefront, with a greater diversity of accredited facilities. 

This adherence to international norms has facilitated the rapid expansion of airlines in countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Africa, enabling them to build strong partnerships and code-sharing agreements. In contrast, West and Central Africa face declining certification figures. 

This disparity impedes connectivity, obstructing the development of efficient east-west routes and hindering the emergence of hubs in densely populated countries poised for aviation development.

For airline route strategists, an airport’s certification standing is pivotal in evaluating profitability and hazards. Flying into an unaccredited facility often results in higher insurance premiums and necessitates additional safeguards, such as transporting surplus fuel or capping cargo loads. In a field with slim profit margins, these additional burdens can render a route financially unsustainable. 

As a result, the sluggish certification momentum directly dampens the enthusiasm of private investors and international carriers seeking African opportunities. It conveys that the regulatory framework remains immature, diverting investments to more uniform markets elsewhere.

The assessment also illuminates the hurdles confronting Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs) across the continent. The certification procedure is exhaustive and requires substantial resources, not only for facility enhancements but also for recruiting skilled technical auditors to conduct evaluations. Numerous countries face a shortage of these experts, resulting in processing delays. 

Moreover, the ongoing oversight required to sustain certification post-approval is equally intensive. Accredited airports require perpetual scrutiny to prevent any decline in standards, a responsibility that overburdens thinly staffed regulators.

From a tourism angle, the link between safety benchmarks and destination appeal is undeniable. Premium inbound markets are becoming more attentive to safety histories. When advisories or coverage policies spotlight non-compliant airports, it erects hurdles for major tour groups and charter firms. For Africa to harness its full tourism promise, portraying its entry points as secure, compliant, and elite is equally vital as promoting its wildlife adventures and coastal retreats. The certification slowdown effectively curbs the influx of tourists in impacted areas.

Governments and airport managers are under increasing pressure to accelerate their alignment initiatives as 2026 approaches. Sector specialists contend that the focus should shift from superficial investments, like erecting flashy terminals, to prioritising operational superiority and robust safety protocols. There’s an escalating demand for cross-border collaboration, with nations boasting mature certification systems aiding others via expertise exchanges and joint ventures. This teamwork may prove essential for narrowing subregional gaps.

The consequences are significant. As the continent moves toward comprehensive open-skies policies, uneven airport standards could distort the market, benefiting carriers from high-performing countries while disadvantaging those in underperforming regions. To address this, a renewed commitment to meeting updated safety standards is crucial. For Africa’s tourism and travel community, the aspiration is that this report acts as a rallying cry, spurring the governmental resolve and funding required to elevate every major African airport to the pinnacle of international aviation safety.

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In Nigeria, the landscape of airport certification reflects notable progress amid broader regional challenges within the West and Central African (WACAF) subregion, which has a 33.8% certification rate as of early 2026. 

As Africa’s most populous nation and a key economic hub, Nigeria has prioritised the certification of its primary international gateways under the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). 

By January 2026, four major airports, Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, and Port Harcourt International Airport, have achieved ICAO certification, demonstrating compliance with global standards for infrastructure, safety procedures, and emergency response. This milestone followed rigorous audits and upgrades, including enhanced runway maintenance, improved firefighting capabilities, and better wildlife management systems. Additionally, FAAN attained ICAO Gold Member status in the Trainers Plus programme in late January 2026, signifying strengthened training and oversight capacities.

However, the situation is far from comprehensive. Nigeria operates more than 20 airports, many of which remain uncertified, particularly secondary and regional facilities that serve domestic routes and emerging tourism destinations. Challenges persist due to resource constraints, including shortages of qualified inspectors and funding for sustained surveillance. Bureaucratic delays, infrastructural deficits in less urban areas, and the high costs of certification have slowed momentum. In the context of the AFI region, Nigeria’s advancements position it as a relative leader in WACAF; however, uneven progress contributes to the continent’s overall 44.8% certification shortfall, underscoring the need for accelerated national and regional initiatives to certify additional airports and maintain standards.

The lag in airport certification across Africa, including Nigeria, poses multifaceted risks to the tourism sector, which relies heavily on seamless, safe, and efficient air access to drive economic growth. Continent-wide, uncertified airports deter international carriers from expanding routes, leading to fewer direct flights, higher ticket prices due to rerouting, and increased travel times, factors that discourage tourists from high-value markets like Europe, North America, and Asia. 

This stifles tourism revenue, estimated to contribute more than $50 billion annually to Africa’s GDP, by limiting access to diverse attractions such as wildlife reserves, cultural sites, and ecotourism hotspots. Safety perceptions are crucial; non-compliance can trigger travel warnings or insurance restrictions, eroding confidence and reducing visitor numbers, particularly for adventure and luxury tourism segments. In regions such as West Africa, the “two-speed” disparity exacerbates isolation, hindering pan-African tourism circuits and collaborative marketing efforts under the SAATM.

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FAQs

1. What is airport certification, and why is it important for tourism?  

Airport certification is ICAO’s verification that an airport meets global safety standards for infrastructure, operations, and emergency services. It’s crucial for tourism, as it builds traveller confidence, enables more direct flights, and reduces risks that could lead to advisories deterring visitors.

2. How many Nigerian airports are currently certified?  

As of early 2026, four major international airports in Nigeria, Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt, have achieved ICAO certification, with efforts ongoing to extend this to additional facilities.

3. What are the main challenges to airport certification in Africa?

Key challenges include resource shortages for upgrades and inspections, a lack of trained personnel, high costs, and bureaucratic backlogs, particularly in under-resourced regions like West and Central Africa.

4. How do uncertified airports affect airline operations and tourism costs?  

Uncertified airports increase insurance premiums and require additional safety measures, making routes less profitable and leading to fewer flights or higher fares, which, in turn, raise travel costs and limit tourists’ access to destinations.

5. What steps can African countries take to improve certification rates?  

Countries can invest in infrastructure, train additional inspectors, foster regional collaboration for knowledge sharing, and prioritise operational safety over aesthetic development to more quickly meet ICAO targets.