The agreement, formalised at a signing ceremony in Germany, signals a shared commitment by both institutions to unlock growth opportunities across Nigeria and the broader African aviation landscape. It was executed by Christian Hatje, Managing Director, Business Aviation and Senior Vice President Commercial at AFG, alongside Stanley Amuchie, Executive Director and Chief Operations and Information Officer of Fidelity Bank.
Expanding Access to Aviation Finance
The collaboration is designed to address one of the aviation sector’s most pressing challenges—access to flexible, long-term financing. By combining AFG’s expertise in aircraft leasing and structured aviation investments with Fidelity Bank’s deep local market knowledge, the partnership aims to deliver innovative financing solutions tailored to the needs of airlines and aviation operators.
These solutions will span aircraft acquisition and leasing, fleet modernisation, and operational efficiency improvements. The initiative is also expected to support broader ecosystem development, including aviation infrastructure and cargo logistics, which remain critical to unlocking the sector’s full potential.
Speaking at the signing, Christian Hatje described the agreement as a significant step in advancing Africa’s aviation future, noting that the partnership would enable both organisations to structure impactful financing solutions capable of driving sustainable growth across the industry.
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| L- R: Mr. Kencho Omojafor, Head, Aviation Desk, Fidelity Bank Plc; Mr. Stanley Amuchie, Executive Director/Chief Operations and Information Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc; Mr. Christian Hatje, Managing Director Business Aviation AFG; Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc; Mr. Shiekuma Gemade, Chief Operating Officer, AFG; and Mr. Patrick Azi, Aviation Consultant and Managing Director, 3D Hitec Ltd; at a meeting at the Fidelity Bank headquarters recently. |
For Fidelity Bank, the partnership reinforces its long-standing position as a key financier within Nigeria’s aviation value chain. The bank has built a track record supporting airlines and aviation-related projects, ranging from fleet expansion to export and cargo enablement.
Stanley Amuchie highlighted that the collaboration enhances the bank’s ability to deliver sustainable and scalable financial solutions, particularly at a time when operators are seeking to modernise fleets and expand route networks amid rising demand for air travel.
Nigeria’s role as a strategic aviation hub in Africa adds further significance to the partnership. With increasing passenger traffic, trade flows, and regional connectivity needs, the demand for well-structured aviation financing continues to grow.
Driving Long-Term Industry Growth
Beyond immediate financing needs, the agreement reflects a broader ambition to stimulate investment and foster long-term development across Africa’s aviation ecosystem. By aligning global leasing expertise with local financial capacity, both institutions are positioning themselves to support a new phase of industry expansion.
For AFG, the partnership also fits into its wider global growth strategy, as it seeks to expand its footprint in emerging markets through structured aviation investments.
As African airlines and operators navigate cost pressures, regulatory shifts, and evolving market dynamics, access to tailored financing solutions will be critical. This collaboration between Fidelity Bank and AFG is expected to play a role in bridging that gap—supporting not just fleet growth, but the overall sustainability and competitiveness of the aviation sector across the continent.