We turn to West Africa, where Niger is turning to Morocco for strategic assistance in launching a new national airline a bold move aimed at revitalizing the country’s aviation sector and improving regional connectivity.
During a high-level meeting in Rabat on July 16, Morocco’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, confirmed that Niger’s Transport and Civil Aviation Minister, Abdourahamane Amadou, formally requested Morocco’s technical and logistical support to create a new flag carrier.
According to Kayouh, the Nigerien government is eager to draw from Morocco’s deep expertise in aviation infrastructure, governance, and airline development.
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“The Nigerian side expressed its desire to benefit from the Moroccan experience, particularly in the area of establishing a domestic airline,” said Kayouh.
The move comes as Niger pushes to develop a more integrated and efficient transport system, a priority for the landlocked Sahel nation, which faces persistent challenges related to regional isolation and cross-border trade.
Kayouh emphasized that Morocco is committed to a “win-win partnership”, offering training programs, technical aid, and knowledge sharing to help Niger achieve its aviation ambitions.
The collaboration is expected to align with Morocco’s Atlantic Initiative, a major strategy launched by King Mohammed VI in 2023 to give landlocked Sahel countries access to the Atlantic maritime routes in a transformative plan targeting nations such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger.
This renewed cooperation also supports Niger’s February 2025 announcement to create not only a national airline, but also a joint regional carrier for the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) a coalition comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The proposed regional airline aims to improve direct connections between the capitals Bamako, Niamey, and Ouagadougou—boosting trade and mobility across the bloc.
This aviation revival follows the collapse of Niger Airlines, the former national carrier, which ceased operations in November 2022 due to safety violations and regulatory issues. Its last remaining aircraft, a Fokker 50, was sold earlier this year to Busy Bee Congo.
Before that, Air Niger, the country’s original national airline, operated from 1966 until 1993.
Niger’s airspace was temporarily shut down in August 2023, following a military coup that triggered fears of foreign intervention. Commercial flights resumed a month later, though planes registered in France remain barred due to political tensions.
As a result, Air France, which had planned to resume service to Niamey in July, has now postponed its relaunch to September 2025.
With regional instability still a concern, Niger’s renewed aviation ambitions with Morocco as a strategic partner represent a broader vision of resilience and regional cooperation.
We will continue to follow developments in this story and the evolving role of air connectivity in shaping West Africa’s future.
Reporting by Noko David.
