With more than 50 countries, a series of regional partnerships and diverse economies, the African Airfreight market is very dynamic, with a variety of trade courses and growth patterns.
Nine of the world’s 20 fastest growing economies are currently hosting Kenya, including Kenya, for 2025’s Air Cargo Africa conference. Not only are these countries growing fast today, but their economic outlook for the next five to ten years also shows continued expansion. As these economies grow, their demand for trading, including air freight, will also be so.
Forecasts projects that African air freight volumes will double approximately over the next 20 years. This growth will be driven by a combination of factors, such as GDP growth and the reform of the trading policy. In addition, the liberalization of traffic rights and trade policies will help to promote a more covenant and efficient air cargo network.
As for the most important market segments, there are two significant areas that drive this growth. Divided exports, not only within Africa, but also after emerging markets such as the Middle East, will still see a strong question, and e-commerce, which has a significant unused potential in Africa, will contribute a lot to the demand for air freight.
Africa accounts for 18 percent of the world population, but in 2024 it represented only 0.5 percent of global e-commerce income. This underlines the large growth potential in the e-commerce market, and as it expands, it will undoubtedly create greater demand for the industry.
Complexity delayed growth
Complications across Africa, with its wide range of countries and a wide variety of economic structures, have created barriers to trade. However, it is clear that there is a desire to overcome this obstacle to ensure that the continent can truly live out its potential as an important player in the aviation industry.
‘One thing that stands out of the African market is the strong will to succeed, and through our partnerships with clients, we have found ways to make things work. Whether through creative routing or adjustment of aircraft schedules, we are doing everything needed, ”said Eric Wilson, senior vice president of sales at Qatar Airways Cargo.
‘We are still committed to the African market, even in the challenges of Covid-19, which we prove as a reliable partner. We are here to stay, and this is clear in the support we keep receiving. Together we are committed to supporting trade to and from Africa and making it work. In 2024 we carried about 80,000 tonnes of load in and out of Africa. We see it as a balanced market, which brings stability – a key base for further growth and success. “
Many of the challenges of Africa come from historical protectionism that has not yet been overcome. This situation causes intra-Africa to travel and trade more challenging, pushing people and business to Europe, the Middle East or elsewhere, and send revenue from the region.
“I say that with the utmost respect, Africa must come in its own way. David Ambridge, director of cargo and email at Taag Angola Airlines, said: “We need to break down the obstacles, break down the regulatory problems.
‘I believe that there should be open air for African airlines now, not in ten years. We must promote air trip and air cargo movement around Africa.
‘There is the African. Free trade agreement, but it is somewhere in its embryonic stage. It should actually be delivered, and if you can’t deliver it over the continent, then start with four or five countries. Once people see the success of the free trade agreement, they will want to get on board faster. “
As these obstacles fall, it is clear that there is a significant potential for African operators to take advantage of the inner African market, as many countries present challenges for international carriers due to complications of the insurance, aircraft restrictions, or lease agreements with European or US owners and landlords.
“Much of the cargo we handle in this region is humanitarian cargo, which usually goes to areas that face conflict or instability, such as Congo, Yemen, Sudan, Southern Sudan and Libya – places where international carriers are experiencing problems,” Captain Mohamed Noor Aden, CEO of Safe Air, explained. ‘This gap allows Afrikaans carriers to step in. We work with companies that can deliver cargo to Nairobi, and then we handle the ‘second mile’, and spread it to areas where international carriers cannot go.
‘What allows us to survive and stay competitive is our ability to serve specialized areas that cannot reach large, external carriers. This niche is what helps us to maintain position. “
Growth together
‘Africa countries do not trade enough with each other,’ “Cargo ad Peter Musola adjugated at Kenya Airways warned. ‘It is incredibly expensive to move flowers from Nairobi to Kinshasa because they have to go through Europe regularly. What should be a three-hour flight to the DRC becomes a 15-hour journey.
The Agenda 2063 of the Africa Union is an important initiative to address it, with one of the most important elements the single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). More than 80 percent of African countries have already embraced it. However, there are still a few countries that are in the process of internal discussions to determine if they are consistent with their interests. If African countries can work through these initiatives to liberalize the continent’s airspace, there is a tremendous opportunity for growth.
“I am very hopeful that the African continent will really begin to appreciate and appreciate its own airlines and the contributions we can make,” Ambridge said. ‘We have the ability, the right equipment and the willingness to fly to destinations that foreign carriers may never reach. Our goal is to use this ability to strengthen cooperation and connectivity within Africa. “
“There are challenges,” Aden added, “but as local operators have the knowledge of the region. We know the region. We can confirm information much faster than the rest of the world. If you are close, if you know the region, if you know the people, it is an advantage for us to get the opportunity. “
What’s next?
Africa is one of the fastest growing regions for the next five to ten years. With a population of 1.5 billion people, who are not a small figure, and a growing middle class, the demand for air journey will increase. In addition, the challenges of moving goods across the inside of Africa will further drive the growth of air freight as it is the most effective way to transport goods between countries.
Europe is expected to remain a strong trade route for the region, and it has traditionally been an important horticultural market. The Middle East is another emerging market that has shown strong growth over the past three to four years. Intra-African trade, especially under the African continental free trade area, also shows great promise.
“We see fantastic opportunities in sectors and markets that were previously unused.” Musola set out. ‘We position ourselves to support the growth of e-commerce, live animal transport and special products on the continent. These are exciting times for the industry, and we are ready to exploit these opportunities. “
‘Customers are optimistic. The market is optimistic. It’s alive. And we really see power over everything, ”Wilson explained. ‘This is one of the fastest growing markets. We saw it in our own experience last year. We had a record flowering season and moved over 25 million single stem roses. Africa can only grow up and we want to be part of it and help them get fantastic. ‘
“We see tremendous opportunities,” Ambridge explained. “We focus on expanding our reach within the continent, and as we receive new aircraft, we will fly to even more destinations in Africa. It is an exciting time for the continent, and we are eager to be part of its growth. “
