Abuja, Nigeria — Nigeria is hosting the 35th Airports Council International (ACI) Africa Annual General Assembly, Regional Conference and Exhibition in Abuja from 19 to 25 September 2026, bringing together more than 500 aviation stakeholders from Africa and beyond.

The gathering puts Abuja at the centre of a continent-wide discussion about how airports can improve performance while becoming more resilient to operational, technological and environmental pressures.

What the Abuja conference is focusing on

The conference theme, “Next-Gen Airports: Driving Performance and Resilience”, reflects an industry increasingly focused on modern infrastructure, digitalisation, passenger experience, sustainability, safety and security.

Airport operators, regulators, technology providers and other aviation stakeholders are expected to use the event to exchange operational experience and examine investment and policy priorities affecting African airports.

Why the event matters for Nigeria

Hosting a major continental aviation gathering gives Nigeria an opportunity to place its airport-development priorities within the wider African aviation conversation. Nigeria has one of Africa’s largest populations and a significant domestic aviation market, while Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport serves as a major gateway to the federal capital.

The conference also comes as airports across the continent face pressure to handle passenger growth, modernise ageing infrastructure, improve service quality and deploy technology without compromising safety or operational resilience.

Resilience and digitalisation move up the airport agenda

Modern airports increasingly depend on interconnected digital systems for passenger processing, baggage handling, security, airline coordination and day-to-day operations. That creates opportunities for faster and more efficient journeys, but also raises questions around cybersecurity, system reliability and business continuity.

Resilience therefore extends beyond physical airport infrastructure. It includes the ability to maintain or restore essential operations during technology failures, severe weather, security incidents and other disruptions.

Passenger experience and sustainability

Another key issue is how African airports can improve passenger journeys while accommodating future demand. Terminal design, queue management, accessibility, baggage processing, information systems and border procedures all influence how travellers experience an airport.

Sustainability is also becoming more prominent as airports assess energy use, ground operations, infrastructure efficiency and long-term environmental performance.

What happens next

The Abuja programme runs until 25 September. Discussions and industry engagements during the week are expected to centre on practical approaches to stronger airport performance and resilience across Africa.

FlyingEze will continue to follow significant aviation and travel developments from Nigeria and across the continent.