Namibia and Nigeria have initiated high-level discussions to establish direct flights between Windhoek and Nigeria. The talks, held between Namibia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Humphrey Geiseb, and Nigeria’s Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, underscore the mutual desire to restore seamless air travel and strengthen economic ties between the two nations.
The discussions, which took place in Abuja on Wednesday, highlighted the potential for collaboration between Namibian and Nigerian aviation stakeholders, with a particular focus on addressing the current challenges of air connectivity and visa processing. Ambassador Geiseb revealed that Namibia is currently in talks with Air Peace, Nigeria’s flag carrier, to restore direct flights between the two countries. While the stage of these discussions was not disclosed, Geiseb expressed Namibia’s strong commitment to partnering with Nigerian airlines to achieve this goal.
“Our country’s desire to partner with Nigerian airlines to restore direct connectivity is unwavering,” Geiseb said during the meeting. He also encouraged Minister Keyamo to engage with domestic airlines in Nigeria to explore potential collaboration opportunities in Namibia.
Historical context and current challenges
The discussions also touched on the historical significance of Air Namibia, the now-defunct national carrier, which once played a pivotal role in connecting Namibia and Nigeria. During its operational days, Air Namibia facilitated travel between Lagos and Accra, serving as a vital link for travelers and businesses between the two nations. However, the airline faced severe financial difficulties and was eventually forced to cease operations following a government bailout.
“Unfortunately, Air Namibia faced financial challenges and was eventually forced to cease operations,” Geiseb lamented. “Since its collapse, direct air connectivity between our two countries has been significantly reduced, making it challenging for travelers to move seamlessly between Windhoek and Nigeria.”
Currently, travelers between Namibia and Nigeria are required to transit through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a route that is often time-consuming and inconvenient. While there are occasional flights via TAG Airlines, Geiseb noted that these are not frequent enough to meet the growing demand for seamless travel between the two nations.
Potential partnerships and collaborative efforts
In response to Namibia’s proposal, Minister Keyamo expressed his support for the initiative and shared a personal experience highlighting the challenges of establishing direct flights in the region. He referenced the successful Algeria/Lagos/Cameroon flight route, which was initiated after the Algerian Ambassador proposed a direct connection, despite the close proximity between Nigeria and Cameroon.
Keyamo also identified Xejet, a fast-rising Nigerian domestic carrier, as a potential partner for Namibia in this venture. Xejet currently operates Sierra Leone’s national carrier, Air Sierra Leone, and has been expanding its footprint in the region.
“One of Nigeria’s fast-rising domestic carriers, Xejet, could be a potential partner in this venture,” Keyamo said. “We are committed to exploring all possible avenues to enhance air connectivity between our two nations.”
Ambassador Geiseb assured the Minister that he would engage his counterpart, Namibia’s Minister of Aviation, to arrange a possible visit to further strengthen aviation cooperation between the two countries. This visit is expected to pave the way for concrete agreements and collaborative efforts to restore direct flights.
Addressing visa challenges
In addition to aviation connectivity, the discussions also addressed the issue of visa challenges between Nigeria and Namibia. Minister Keyamo recalled his recent difficulties obtaining a visa despite holding a diplomatic passport, emphasizing the need to resolve these issues to facilitate smoother travel and open doors for more trade and investment relations.
“Visa challenges have been a significant barrier to smoother travel and trade relations between our two nations,” Keyamo said. “I urge you to work towards resolving these issues to facilitate smoother travel and open doors for more trade and investment relations.”
Both envoys agreed to collaborate on these matters to improve bilateral ties and enhance cooperation in the aviation sector. The discussions also revolved around the existing Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Namibia and potential collaborations to enhance aviation connectivity between the two nations.
The role of Air Peace
Air Peace, Nigeria’s flag carrier, has emerged as a key player in the discussions to restore direct flights between Nigeria and Namibia. The airline, which has been expanding its operations across Africa, is currently in talks with the Namibian government to explore the possibility of establishing a direct route to Windhoek.
A statement by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to Minister Keyamo, confirmed that the discussions with Air Peace formed a significant part of the meeting between Geiseb and Keyamo. The airline’s involvement underscores its commitment to enhancing air connectivity and fostering economic growth across the continent.
A promising future for Namibia-Nigeria relations
The talks between Namibia and Nigeria mark a significant step towards restoring direct air connectivity and strengthening bilateral ties. The establishment of direct flights between Windhoek and Nigeria would not only facilitate smoother travel but also boost trade, investment, and cultural exchange between the two nations. It would also provide a much-needed alternative to the current transit routes, which are often time-consuming and inconvenient for travelers.
As the discussions progress, both nations are optimistic about the potential for enhanced cooperation in the aviation sector. The potential partnerships with Nigerian airlines, coupled with the commitment to address visa challenges, underscore the shared vision of fostering economic growth and cultural exchange.
The meeting between Ambassador Geiseb and Minister Keyamo represents a significant milestone in the efforts to enhance air connectivity and strengthen bilateral ties between Namibia and Nigeria. As both nations work towards resolving visa challenges and finalizing agreements for direct flights, the prospect of seamless travel between Windhoek and Nigeria offers a promising future for travelers, businesses, and investors alike. With the support of key stakeholders and the commitment of both governments, the dream of direct flights between Namibia and Nigeria may soon become a reality, paving the way for a new era of collaboration and mutual growth.