Africa’s air cargo market continues to face challenges due to trade barriers, geopolitical conflicts, and infrastructure constraints. However, industry leaders at the Air Cargo Africa conference in Nairobi highlighted potential opportunities for growth and improvements in the sector.
During the “How African Air Cargo Could Be Set to Soar” session, Racheal Ndegw, Chief Executive of Swissport Kenya, pointed to market fragmentation as a factor limiting economic potential in African nations. She suggested that better resource integration could enhance trade, economic growth, and airfreight efficiency.
Grant Kemp, Regional General Manager for Central Africa, UAE, GCC, CIS & Levant at Etihad Cargo, emphasized the importance of focusing on local manufacturing and resource utilization rather than relying on exports. Meanwhile, Wilson Kwong, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl), stated that increased exports and improved regional collaboration would strengthen the continent’s trade capabilities.
Geopolitical Challenges and Infrastructure Constraints
Industry representatives also noted that geopolitical tensions, such as conflicts in Sudan and parts of West Africa, continue to disrupt air cargo operations. Peter Musola, Head of Cargo Commercial at Kenya Airways, highlighted the impact of flight route diversions, which have increased costs and transit times, particularly for perishable goods.
Eric Wilson, Senior Vice President of Cargo Sales at Qatar Airways Cargo, echoed concerns about political instability as a hindrance to commercial growth. Musola also stressed that trade liberalization and the ratification of free trade agreements are crucial for enhancing airline operations. Additionally, the issue of blocked airline funds remains a challenge for the industry.
The Role of Infrastructure and Secondary Airports
Experts also discussed the significance of infrastructure improvements and the role of secondary airports in boosting air cargo growth. Kemp pointed out that strategic investments in network expansion and capacity handling are essential, especially for perishables and pharmaceutical products. Wilson added that partnerships between airlines and regional hubs will be key to expanding connectivity.
From a ground handling perspective, Ndegw highlighted the need for collaboration with airports and governments to develop purpose-built facilities, such as warehouses, and to standardize global best practices.
Positive Market Outlook and Growth Potential
Despite these challenges, industry analysts foresee substantial growth in Africa’s air cargo market. Aaron Tayler, Regional Director of Market Analysis at Boeing, noted that nine of the world’s fastest-growing economies, including Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Senegal, are in Africa. Economic growth in these regions is expected to increase demand for trade and air cargo services.
Boeing’s World Air Cargo Forecast projects that African air cargo volumes will double over the next two decades, driven by economic expansion, policy reforms, and traffic rights liberalization. The Africa-East Asia trade corridor has shown strong performance, with air cargo growing at nearly 7% annually over the past decade. This trade flow is expected to triple in size over the next 20 years.
The forecast also estimates that Africa’s domestic air cargo market will require around 100 additional aircraft, increasing the fleet to more than 150 by the early 2040s. However, many of the region’s existing aircraft are aging, with some exceeding 30-40 years in service.
Encouraging Signs for the Industry
Despite ongoing supply chain connectivity issues, there have been positive developments in the African air cargo sector. The revival of airlines and increased capacity have contributed to improved connectivity. Wilson noted that Qatar Airways Cargo has expanded its network across Africa, serving 28 cities via belly capacity and four markets through freighter operations.
Musola shared insights on Kenya Airways’ cargo operations, particularly in the horticulture sector. While the fourth quarter of 2024 saw a temporary reduction in capacity as freighters shifted to Asia for e-commerce demand, the market rebounded during Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year, leading to a strong first quarter in 2025.
As investments in trade infrastructure, regulatory reforms, and partnerships continue, Africa’s air cargo market is poised for long-term expansion, despite the challenges it currently faces.
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