With over 50 countries, a range of regional partnerships, and diverse economies, the African airfreight market is highly dynamic, with a variety of trade lanes and growth patterns.

Nine of the world’s 20 fastest-growing economies are currently in Africa, including Kenya, host to 2025’s air cargo Africa conference. These nations are not only growing rapidly today, but their economic outlook for the next five to ten years also points to continued expansion. As these economies grow, so too will their demand for trade, including air cargo.

Forecasts projects that African airfreight volumes will roughly double over the next 20 years. This growth will be driven by a combination of factors, such as GDP growth and trade policy reforms. Additionally, the liberalization of traffic rights and trade policies will help foster a more connected and efficient air cargo network.

In terms of key market segments, there are two notable areas driving this growth. Perishable exports, not only within Africa but also to emerging markets like the Middle East, will continue to see strong demand, and e-commerce, which has significant untapped potential in Africa, will contribute heavily to air cargo demand. 

Africa accounts for 18 percent of the world’s population, yet in 2024 it represented just 0.5 percent of global e-commerce revenues. This underscores the vast growth potential in the e-commerce market, and as it expands, it will undoubtedly generate greater demand for the industry.

Complexity slows growth

Complications across Africa, with its wide array of countries and a vast range of economic structures, has created barriers to trade. However, it is clear that there is a desire to overcome this hurdle to ensure the continent can truly live up to its potential as a major player within the airfreight industry.

“One thing that stands out about the African market is the strong will to succeed, and through our partnerships with customers, we’ve found ways to make things work. Whether it’s through creative routing or adjusting aircraft schedules, we do whatever it takes,” Eric Wilson, Senior Vice President of Sales at Qatar Airways Cargo, stated.

“We’ve remained committed to the African market, even throughout the challenges of Covid-19, proving ourselves as a reliable partner. We’re here to stay, and this is evident in the support we continue to receive. Together, we are committed to supporting trade to and from Africa and making it work. In 2024, we carried approximately 80,000 tons of cargo both into and out of Africa. We see this as a balanced market, which brings stability—a key foundation for further growth and success.”

A lot of Africa’s challenges come from historical protectionism that has yet to be overcome. This situation makes intra-Africa travel and trade more challenging, pushing people and business to Europe, the Middle East or elsewhere, sending revenue flowing out of the region. 

“I say this with the greatest respect, Africa needs to get out of its own way. “We need to break down the barriers, break down the regulatory difficulties,” David Ambridge, Director of Cargo and Mail at TAAG Angola Airlines, stated. 

“I’m a firm believer there should be open skies for African airlines now, not in 10 years time. We need to promote air travel and air cargo movement around Africa. 

“There’s the the African. Free Trade Agreement but that’s somewhere in its embryonic stage. It needs to actually be delivered and, if you can’t deliver it across the continent, then start off with four or five nations. Once people see the success of the free trade agreement, they’re going to want to come on board much quicker.”

Should these barriers fall, it is clear that there is a significant potential for African operators to capitalise on the intra-African market, as many countries present challenges for international carriers due to insurance complications, aircraft size restrictions, or lease agreements with European or American owners and lessors.  

“Much of the cargo we handle in this region is humanitarian cargo, which typically goes to areas facing conflict or instability, such as Congo, Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, and Libya—places where international carriers face difficulties operating,” Captain Mohamed Noor Aden, CEO of Safe Air, explained. “This gap allows African carriers to step in. We partner with companies, which can deliver cargo to Nairobi, and then we handle the “second mile,” distributing it to areas where international carriers can’t go.

“What allows us to survive and remain competitive is our ability to serve specialised areas that large, external carriers cannot reach. This niche is what helps us maintain out position.”

Growing together

“African countries are not trading enough with each other,” Peter Musola Head of Cargo Commercial at Kenya Airways, warned. “Moving flowers from Nairobi to Kinshasa is incredibly costly because they often have to go via Europe. What should be a three-hour flight to the DRC becomes a 15-hour journey.

The African Union’s Agenda 2063 is a key initiative to address this, with one of the most important elements being the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). Over 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 it aligns with their interests. If African countries can work together through thes initiatives to liberalise the continent’s airspace, there is tremendous opportunity for growth.

“I am very hopeful that the African continent will begin to truly appreciate and value its own airlines and the contributions we can make,” Ambridge expressed. “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 capacity 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. When you are near, when you know the region, when you know the people, that is a plus for us to capture that opportunity.”

What’s next?

Africa is poised to be one of the fastest-growing regions over the next five to ten years. With a population of 1.5 billion people, which is no small figure, and a growing middle class, the demand for air travel is set to increase. Additionally, the challenges of moving goods across the interior of Africa will further drive the growth of air cargo, as it remains the most efficient way to transport goods between countries. 

Europe is expected to remain a strong trade route for the region, having traditionally been a key horticultural market. The Middle East is another emerging market, having shown strong growth over the past three to four years. Intra-Africa trade, particularly under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area is also showing great promise.

“We’re seeing fantastic opportunities in sectors and markets that were previously untapped.” Musola outlined. “We are positioning ourselves to support the growth of e-commerce, live animal transport, and special products within the continent. These are exciting times for the industry, and we are ready to seize these opportunities.”

“Customers are optimistic. The market is optimistic. It’s buoyant. And we’re really seeing strength across everything,” Wilson, explained. “It’s one of the fastest growing markets. We saw that in our own experience last year. We had a record flower season, moving over 25 million single stem roses. Africa can only grow up and we want to be part of that and help them grow fantastic.”

“We see tremendous opportunities,” Ambridge explained. “Our focus is on expanding our reach within the continent, and as we receive new aircraft, we will be flying to even more destinations within Africa. It’s an exciting time for the continent, and we are eager to be part of its growth.”