From practicing law in Nigeria to steering the future of African aviation policy, Adefunke Adeyemi has emerged as a transformative leader—guiding the continent toward a more connected, prosperous, and sustainable airspace.
As of September 1, 2022, Adeyemi took office as Secretary-General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC)—the African Union’s specialized agency responsible for civil aviation and executing the Yamoussoukro Decision and Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
In November 2024, she secured a second term, winning a resounding vote of 22 to 7, a testament to her visionary leadership and the confidence she inspires across the continent.
Before her rise to AFCAC, Adeyemi held pivotal roles at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), serving as Regional Director, Advocacy & Strategic Relations for Africa.
There, she became the lead voice for the implementation of SAATM and was a champion for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
At IATA, she also spearheaded the Women in Leadership and Diversity & Inclusion initiatives across Africa and the Middle East.
Adeyemi’s legal foundation is impeccable. She received her LL.B. (Hons) from the University of Lagos in 1998 and is qualified as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Nigerian Supreme Court.
She then earned her LL.M. in International Commercial Law from the University of Cambridge and an MBA from Nanyang Business School, Singapore, where she also completed a blended advanced management program in aviation, leadership, and innovation with Wharton and UC Berkeley’s Haas School.
Her influence extends beyond aviation. She has been recognized as one of the 100 Most Inspirational African Women and among the 200 Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD).
In 2021, she received the Ato Girma Wake Lifetime Achievement Award for her impactful contributions to African air transport and trade development.
Adeyemi also contributes to global thought leadership as part of the World Economic Forum’s, and offers her expertise as a member of various advisory and advocacy networks.
Adeyemi’s vision is clear and unflinching—advocating for a fully connected Africa and unlocking aviation as a catalyst for socio-economic transformation.
As Secretary-General of AFCAC, she oversees efforts to strengthen safety, security, sustainability, and infrastructure while opening skies for trade, tourism, and development.
