Zambian media reports are suggesting that Zambia needs to urgently up its airfreight game and save the country’s air cargo sector to ensure that this sector remains viable. The Zambian Business Times (ZBT) is reporting that a statistics report by Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) communications and brand Manager Mweembe Sikaulu, cargo movement decreased by seven per cent in the Q3 2018 due to increased competition from road freight.

Sikaulu stated that the recent local currency resulted in reduction on exports via air by about 15 per cent. Roses are the most common export via airfreight movement.

A review of air cargo performance around frontier African countries show that Kenya has expanded its cargo handling capacity at Jomo Kenyatta International airport to support its expansive horticultural and fresh produce exporting base which was estimated as close to $1 billion in export values per annum in 2017, says the ZBT.

The website notes that Zambia needs to critically review “the performance of this sector as its continued decrease may indicate the need for the government to review the performance of related sectors and value chains.”