African negotiators at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, called for dedicated aviation climate finance windows to prevent developing countries from being locked out of the global net-zero transition in air transport.
Speaking at a high-level side event on sustainable transport, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said aviation decarbonisation must not become “another compliance burden that widens inequality.”
“We support net-zero aviation, but equity must be central. Africa needs technology transfer, SAF financing and fair timelines,” he said.
The discussions came amid renewed global focus on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), carbon markets under CORSIA, and the ICAO Long-Term Global Aspirational Goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
Kenya’s climate envoy echoed the call, urging multilateral lenders to create blended finance instruments for SAF production hubs in Africa.
Industry observers at COP30 warned that without financing guarantees, African airlines could face rising carbon costs and fleet restrictions.
Aviation economist Dr. Olumide Ohunayo told DA News that SAF could become a strategic export for Africa if policy certainty improves.
“Feedstock is not our problem; capital is. COP30 must deliver financial clarity,” he said.
Delegates agreed to strengthen cooperation ahead of ICAO Aviation Climate Week 2026, where monitoring and reporting standards for aviation emissions will be further defined.
By Oladokun Gbemisola
