Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has stressed that good governance is fundamental to the growth and development of Africa’s aviation and tourism sectors.

Obasanjo made the remarks while speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the AeroWest Summit 2026 in Lagos, where stakeholders discussed ways of financing connectivity and unlocking aviation and tourism growth across West and Central Africa.

The former president explained that aviation growth depends on a broader economic chain.

According to him, for aviation to thrive, there must first be passengers; for passengers to be available, there must be prosperity; prosperity requires a thriving economy, and a thriving economy depends on good governance.

“For passengers to be available, there must be prosperity. For prosperity to exist, there must be a thriving economy. For a thriving economy to be there, there must be good governance.”

Obasanjo also emphasised the close relationship between aviation and tourism, describing the two sectors as complementary and urging African countries to develop stronger partnerships between them.

He argued that Africa’s challenge is not necessarily a lack of attractive destinations or resources, but the continent’s failure to properly preserve, package and promote the assets it already possesses.

He called for greater investment in infrastructure, stronger regional connectivity and capacity building that extends beyond aviation professionals to local communities.

He said communities should be equipped with skills in hospitality, product packaging and visitor engagement.

Obasanjo further urged African countries to preserve their natural, cultural and historical heritage, noting that doing so would make destinations more attractive and competitive in international tourism markets.

He also challenged African aviation and tourism stakeholders to ensure that the summit produces practical results rather than becoming another event that ends with discussions and communiqués.

“This summit is the beginning, and it should not be the end,” he said, urging participants to ensure that the continent gets its aviation and tourism development strategy right.

The Summit Convener and CEO of the West Africa Tourism Organisation (WATO), Ola Wright, echoed Obasanjo’s concerns, saying Africa already has world-class destinations and compelling cultural stories but continues to face challenges caused by inadequate investment and fragmented transportation networks.

Wright said the continent’s priority should be making it easier for people to reach the attractions that already exist.

He identified connectivity, investment and business integration as key factors that will determine the future growth of African tourism.

The three-day AeroWest Summit in Lagos brings together aviation operators, tourism stakeholders and government representatives from West Africa, Central Africa and the Caribbean to develop practical strategies for improving regional integration and connectivity. The summit is scheduled to conclude on September 4, 2026.