Preparations are at its final stages as Nigeria is set to host the Airport Council International, ACI Africa Conference and Exhibition in the country’s Commercial nerve centre, Lagos between the 14-20 of April, 2018.
The conference is expected to bring together about 300 high-level participants, including African and international aviation government officials, airport executives and recognized leaders from the public and private sector, international institutions and service providers, and will be the ideal backdrop for networking, business meetings and marketing of products and services.
The conference which has the Theme: “Business Transformation for Sustainable Development of African Airports”, will discuss the need for a change in the perception of business in African airports, to improve the profitability of infrastructure, optimize resources, generate profits and ensure the sustainability of the business as well as highlights the importance of industry partners and public-private partnership for innovative project creation, leadership and strategic planning as tools to achieve these goals.
President ACI Africa who is also the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN Mr. Saleh Dunoma had noted that the hosting of the event would be of immense benefit primarily to the Authority and ultimately to the sector and Nigeria as a nation.
According to him, the conference would bring immerse benefits to the country in many ways, “The guests will pass through airports in Nigeria, pay visa fees to the Nigerian Immigration services, stay in various hotels and visit different historical sites before they depart”.
“Nigeria’s hosting of the conference is a pioneer achievement for the country given that this is the first time in history that this prestigious position of ACI-Africa President will be occupied by a Nigerian,” he added.
According to Dunoma,“My serving in the capacity of the President ACI-Africa will ensure that Nigeria remains in the limelight and will also give Nigeria an advantage in decision making as it relates to aviation matters in Africa and the world”.
He explained that the event would draw experts from across the world, including the Council President of ICAO, Dr Bernard Aliu. According to him, sessions to be held at this conference include, Innovation in airport business, Business innovation in airport retail, The future of airport tax free shops, Technology to support business transformation, Transformation in practice, amongst others.
With the launch of the conference logo in Abuja at the 4th Stakeholders forum by the Minister of State, Aviation Senator Hadi Sirika preparations had since been on- going which kick started with call for support both from the media and other key stakeholders from the industry and outside.
Already the ACI Planning Committee headed by the Director, Commercial and Business Development, FAAN, Sadiku Rafindadi had visited some heads of parastatals/Agencies in the industry to solicit their support and cooperation in the handing of guests at the airports and outside for the seamless facilitation and a good experience for the guests on arrival and departure.
Places visited included the Immigration, NDLEA, some newspapers houses among others.
He explained that the conference would further aid the advancement of human capacity development in the sector both in Nigeria and in the continent.
“Nigeria’s hosting of the conference is a pioneer achievement for the country given that this is the first time in history that this prestigious position of ACI-Africa President will be occupied by a Nigerian.
“The advent of Public Private Partnerships in Africa has caused a shift in the transformation of airports into sustainable business entities and Nigeria is not left behind.
“In recent years, Nigeria has engaged in the PPP practice and has witness good success. We are working tirelessly to ensure that our airports are viable and self-sustaining hence this is the perfect time for Nigeria to host this prestigious event,” said Rafindadi.
General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu has declared that FAAN would use the opportunity to open up the aviation sector to internal and external investors.
This is as Mr. Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) is expected to declare open the forthcoming Airport Council International (ACI) to be hosted by Nigeria.
She explained that Mustapha would declare open the conference while Sen. Hadi Sirika, Minister of State for Aviation, Dr. Bernard Aliu, President of Council, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and Ms. Angela Gittens, Director-General li Tounsi, ACI World would also be in attendant.
Others are Mr. Ali Tounsi, Secretary General of ACI Africa, Mr. Abderahmane Berthe, Secretary General of African Airlines Association (AFRAA), Mr. Bongani Maseko, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Airports Company, South Africa, Mr. Romesh Bhoyroo, CEO, Mauritius Airport, Ms. Isabel Zarza, Managing Director, Africa, Dufry, Mr. Sidi Gueye, Regional Director, Africa, International Air Transport Association (IATA) and a lot of other experts in the aviation industry.
She added: “We are expecting experts to come with their wealth of ideas that will help us to move our airports from just being a government entity to more viable airports and the ones that can declare profit.
“The Ease of Doing business too has helped us to move forward as we showcase our potential and activities. The ease of doing business has helped us to collapse several formalities in checking the passengers, we don’t have too many checks at the airports any longer, but that does not stop us from still doing the security check.”
The Mission statement of ACI Africa is to act as an economic catalyst on the African continent while providing effective and quality airport services appreciated by the members of the African community and aviation, contributing to sustainable safe and secure development of air transport in Africa, as well as the growth and success of its members.
While its Vision is to be the leading regional association of the aviation industry in Africa.
It Objectives includes: to Contribute to the improvement of a secure, safe and sustainable development of aviation in Africa.
Maximize the contribution of the African airports for the development of, an ordered and economic catalyst for Africa, regional air transport system.
Cooperate with regional actors of the industry and others for the improvement of the aviation system in Africa and its public perception on a regional and international scale.
Contribute to the increase of the professional excellence and conformity with the international standards and best practices in the African airports.
Influence local and regional legislation/regulations for the benefit of airport operators in Africa.
Cooperate with ACI World and the other regions of ACI to successfully defend the interests of the airports on the international level towards the cohesion of ACI as single entity representing all airports across the world.
