Over the past decade, the African Airfreight market has seen significant growth driven by various key factors for import and exports. The increasing demand for high value, time -sensitive goods, such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, flowers and other perishable products, spurred the need for faster and more reliable transport.
The rising middle class and urbanization also contributed to higher consumption, especially for time -sensitive and high -value goods. In addition, the growing demand for e-commerce, the expansion of industries such as agriculture and pharmaceutical products, and the strengthening of regional trading agreements such as the African-continental free trade area (AFCFTA) created new opportunities for air freight services.
“Africa’s air freight market has experienced significant growth, powered by a combination of increasing demand for goods, rising intra-rican trade, and the emerging e-commerce sector,” said Jennifer van Wyk, Land Manager South Africa, Chapman Freeborn.
“Kenya has positioned itself as an important pivot for cargo operations in East Africa. Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) has always served an important gate for both imports and exports, with Kenya an important trade route for perishable products such as flowers, fresh produce and pharmaceutical products. The country’s strategic location, along with improvements in infrastructure and logistics networks, has helped Kenya retain its status as one of the most important air freight hubs in Africa. “
“There was also a significant investment in the entire continent to modernize airport infrastructure, including cargo terminals and to accommodate the growing demand for air freight. As a result, major airports in countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa have become important hubs for regional and international trade, ”explained Beau Paine, World Head of Freight at Menzies Aviation.
“These factors, combined with the progress in infrastructure and technology, are driving continued growth in the sector,” added M&C Aviation CEO Harish Shah. Facilitation of commercial aircraft is a cornerstone of Africa’s trade with the rest of the world, which provides a quick and reliable way to move high value, perishable and time -sensitive goods.
It connects African businesses with global markets, increasing trade in intra africa, supporting humanitarian efforts and attracting foreign investment, all of which contribute to economic growth and development on the continent.
“The speed and reliability of air freight is of utmost importance to support Africa’s growing e-commerce sector and to meet the international supply chain requirements. This connectivity promotes economic growth and strengthens the position of Africa in global trade, ”said Frederic Brun, head of commercial cargo and logistics at the airport Liege.
Importing and exporting goods such as electronics, medical supplies, cutting flowers and fresh products relies a lot on air freight, and GSSAs ensure that the airlines we represent can meet these needs with the highest level of service. “Our local expertise and understanding of the African market helps airlines better to navigate the logistical challenges and customs processes, to ensure cargo quickly and efficiently,” Shah highlighted. As infrastructure improves and the demand for global connectivity increases, Airfreight will still play an important role in facilitating Africa trading across borders.
The increasing amount of small, high value shipping, the acceptance of new technologies, the expansion of regional networks and the focus on delivery of the last kilometer all became the most important components of the air freight sector strategy to support the growth of e-commerce . “As Africa’s e-commerce market continues to expand, air freight will remain a critical capacity of the trade and logistics of the region, providing opportunities for innovation and collaboration between e-commerce platforms, logistics suppliers and air freight carriers,” Paine expressed.
“Menzies are well placed with service offers to support its clients and provide solutions to border transport. 2025 See continued focus on e-commerce for menzies and its airlines. “The most important factors that drive growth in Africa’s air freight market include the rise of global and regional trading, progress in digital technology, and the increasing need for time-sensitive deliveries, especially in sectors such as e-commerce, pharmaceutical products and perishable products. “Industries such as agriculture (fresh produce and flowers), car (parts) and electronics are still important drivers of demand. The growth of African technical startups and the expansion of e-commerce also plays crucial roles as it requires quick and effective logistical solutions to meet the customer expectations, ”Van Wyk explained.
Improved efficiency
While demand is increasing, barriers such as limited airport infrastructure, high operating costs and insufficient connection between smaller markets remain further expansion. The development of this infrastructure is essential for improving the efficiency and scalability of air freight operations in Africa. ‘The last decade has made several airports in Africa significant
Investments in upgrading cargo facilities, expanding capacity and improving digital systems to streamline operations, ”Van Wyk explained. “Important airports in countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa have improved cargo terminals and invested in cold chain infrastructure, facilitating high value growth, temperature-sensitive commodities. However, continued improvements are needed, especially in the development of regional airports to ensure seamless connectivity and reduce bottlenecks. “” Optimizing routes and working closely with local players to improve connectivity can cope with infrastructure challenges, “Shah explained. In addition, air freight between African countries can be expensive due to complicated customs procedures and regulatory inefficiencies. The expertise of GSSAs to navigate these issues and streamline the processes for our clients is very important to drive the growth of the inner African aircraft. “
“Africa’s limited airport and logistics infrastructure sometimes impedes the efficiency of air freight operations, causing delays and higher costs. Partners such as Liege Airport mitigate these challenges by serving as a reliable pivot, which effectively connects the air freight of Africa to global supply chains, ”Brun added.
Outdoor investment in the region by handlers and others in the air freight industry at airports in Africa was the key to growing demand. For example, at airports such as Nairobi and Johannesburg Menzies, Menzies Aviation has invested in the latest cargo terminal, and improved facilities that can handle increased traffic. “Modern cargo terminal with better handling, storage and processing systems allows for faster reversal times and more efficient cargo management.
This terminal is designed to handle a wide variety of goods, including perishable products, pharmaceuticals and high value products, which require specific coping procedures, ‘added Paine.
Intra-African trade The liberalization of Africa’s air freight market has had significant progress over the past few years, especially with initiatives such as the Single Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). SAATM is essentially the pressure of the Africa Union to an open air policy across the continent. It encourages member states to remove airlines, such as capacity restrictions, route restrictions and price controls.
This policy aims to create a more competitive environment that benefits cargo operators by enabling them to provide more regular and direct flights between Africa countries and was positive to help airlines to expand their reach and regulatory barriers to reduce the entire continent.
“The progress towards the liberalization of the African Air Cargo market includes improved regional connection and reduced trade barriers among initiatives such as SAATM,” Hubs such as Liege Airport support this progress by strengthening international links, “Brun uttered.
“By eliminating air traffic restrictions and opening more routes, SAATM enables greater competition and better connectivity for air cargo services. M&C is actively working with airlines to ensure that they can fully utilize these regulatory changes and position our partners for success in a lake open and liberalized market, ”says Shah.
“As a result of the SAATM, we have seen a gradual elimination of restrictive bilateral airline agreements between countries. These agreements have historically limited the number of carriers that could work between two countries and often resulted in higher costs and inefficiency in air freight transport. SAATM seeks to replace it with more open agreements and encourage a freer flow of goods, ”Paine confirmed. In addition to SAATM, several initiatives are underway to improve the intraafrican air freight connection. The African Union and the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) have worked to remove obstacles for the inner African air freight movement by advocating for open air agreements and reducing regulations that impede the free flow of goods. In addition, Regional Airlines are increasingly partnerships and Coder hair agreements to improve their networks, while improving infrastructure makes it easier for cargo to move within the continent.
“These efforts are of the utmost importance to improve the regional trade and to support the African-continental free trade area (AFCFTA) by reducing transport times and costs for in-end retirement,” Van Wyk added. Regional development regions such as East Africa (Kenya and Ethiopia) and West Africa (Nigeria and Ghana) appear as air freight due to strategic locations, growing exports and airport infrastructure investments.
In particular, Johannesburg, Nairobi and Addis Ababa have become decisive hubs because of their strong connection to both regional and international markets. Airlines, freight exhibitors and local operators are essential to ensure the growth and efficacy of air cargo services in Africa amid this development. By working together, these stakeholders can optimize routes, share infrastructure and reduce costs through scale benefits. For example, many airlines and cargo exhibitors join forces to offer more robust networks, enabling more flexibility in freight movement and minimizes delays.
In addition, local operators often have an in -depth knowledge of regional markets and regulations, which make them valuable partners in expanding air freight. “Cooperative efforts contribute to a more seamless, cost-effective and scalable air cargo network across the continent,” Van Wyk explained.
“GSSAs support airlines in these markets by ensuring that they can meet growing air cargo services through optimal sales and operational management. These hubs become more attractive to global carriers, and M&C is proud to be part of the network that facilitates this growth, ”Shah said.
“Interline agreements and continued collaboration with freight exhibitors and airlines are essential growth in the air freight market in Africa. By enabling broader connectivity, reducing costs, increasing service reliability and promoting global trade connections, these partnerships help to overcome the logistics challenges of the continent, ”Pain continued.
“The keyword in our industry and these times are partnerships, never forget that air freight and logistics are based on human relationships,” Brun concluded.
