L-R: Basil Agbor, Head of Products & Innovation, VivaJets; Tejumade Salami, Chief Operating Officer; Erika Achum, Founder & CEO; Kayode Adebiyi, Head of Business Transformation; and Winifred Ogbonna, Team Lead, Sales, at the Africa Energy Week, Cape Town, South Africa in September 2025
By Peace Udugba
VivaJets, a premier Nigerian business aviation firm and subsidiary of Falcon Aerospace Limited, has announced its participation in the upcoming Africa CEO Forum (ACF) as a strategic mobility partner, aimed at facilitating the seamless movement of business and political leaders across the continent.
The 2026 edition of the forum is scheduled to hold in Kigali, Rwanda, from May 14 to 15, and is expected to convene over 2,500 business leaders, investors and public officials. Discussions will focus on driving private sector-led growth, boosting cross-border investment and strengthening economic integration under the theme, “The Scale Imperative: Why Africa Must Embrace Shared Ownership.”
Nigeria is set to have a strong presence at the event, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside key industry players and regional stakeholders.
VivaJets’ participation follows a series of significant milestones that highlight its commitment to enhancing regional connectivity. In October 2025, the company secured a $10 million credit facility from London-based TLG, as part of efforts to expand its footprint into global markets. The firm is focused on bridging connectivity gaps between major business hubs, reducing reliance on indirect commercial routes and promoting intra-African trade.
Speaking on the development, the Chief Executive Officer of VivaJets, Erika Achum, said the company’s involvement in the forum reflects its vision of a more connected Africa.
“Africa’s skies should connect us, not divide us. Our gold partnership at the Africa CEO Forum is a testament to our belief that business aviation is the connective tissue of continental trade,” Achum said. “By providing world-class mobility solutions, we are empowering leaders to move with the speed and reliability required to drive Africa’s next phase of growth.”
She added that with ongoing fleet expansion, VivaJets is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for efficient travel among African leaders and decision-makers. “We are democratising private aviation, ensuring more leaders can harness its benefits to drive transformation across the region,” she said.
Beyond its operational growth, the company has also emerged as an advocate for aviation sector reforms. VivaJets has consistently called for the removal of policy bottlenecks such as restrictive visa regimes for aircrews and fragmented regulatory frameworks, which it says hinder the growth of the industry. The firm is pushing for a unified and modern aviation strategy to support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Also speaking, the Chief Operating Officer, Tejumade Salami, noted that the theme of the 2026 forum aligns closely with the company’s strategic direction.
“At ACF 2026, we look forward to engaging with leaders and businesses shaping Africa’s economic future, particularly on how they navigate mobility challenges across the continent,” Salami said. “The theme of shared ownership resonates with our commitment to regional integration, which is evident in our expanding fleet and route network designed to better connect key business centres.”
She emphasised that stronger cross-border collaboration would play a critical role in accelerating Africa’s economic growth and cultural exchange.
About VivaJets
VivaJets is a leading business aviation company offering a comprehensive range of services, including aircraft charter, management and brokerage. As part of the Falcon Aerospace group, the company is focused on improving regional connectivity and raising the standard of corporate travel across Africa.
