Fidelity Bank has entered into a strategic partnership with Frankfurt-based Aircraft Finance Germany (AFG) to streamline aircraft leasing and acquisition.
The alliance, announced during the maiden Nigerian Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit in Lagos on Thursday marks shift from the prohibitive costs of outright aircraft purchases toward a sustainable, lease-rental-based model for domestic operators.
Stanley Amuchie, Executive Director at Fidelity Bank, emphasised that the collaboration merges local financial muscle with global technical expertise.
“Aviation is an industry where technical know-how is non-negotiable,” Amuchie explained.
“By bringing AFG’s sourcing capabilities together with our ability to provide structured finance, we are creating a platform that allows operators to enter the market without the burden of massive upfront capital. You pay lease rentals, you scale your business, and you own the market.”
“We’re already doing a lot in Nigeria today. We’re financing most of the airlines, the big ones in Nigeria. So, we’re just finding another platform to improve on what we’re doing already.
“So the arrangement is for us to bring finance and expertise together. Because the aviation industry is one industry you have to have the technical know-how to get into. So we’re bringing the technical know-how from AFG and our ability to finance together,” he explained.
He mentioned that Fidelity bank has supported Nigerian airlines including Air Peace, especially at a time when companies were skeptical about supporting the sector.
Explaining the partnership, Amuchie said AFG will be able to source the right kind of aircraft based on airlines needs and use while Fidelity provides financing.
“You can buy the assets and be able to lease, so you pay lease rentals. It depends on what the operator wants. Basically, it’s for Nigerians. There are a lot of opportunities here. In most African countries, we don’t even have airlines going there.
“The deal is very important. Most people want to get into this business, but financing has been an issue. Now, if you don’t have the whole money for leasing, all you need is to pay the lease rentals and be able to get into the deal.
“We need people who are really ready for the business. You don’t have to wait to have all the money to buy aircraft. You pay lease rentals and be able to own the business. That’s what we want to achieve here,” Amuchie said.
The Fidelity bank executive director said over time, it is expected that Nigeria should be the hub for aviation in Africa.
Chris Najomo, the director general of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said the partnership was the right step in
“It’s a major thing that has just happened between Fidelity and AFG. You all know that it has played a role in supporting the biggest airline, Air Peace,” Najomo said.
He said with this partnership, in the
next five to six months, more aircraft will come in.
“Better and more modern aircraft will come in. They are coming in already. We expect that more operators will take leverage of this,” the DG added.
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