By Maria Kalamatas | May 7, 2025
Nairobi, KENYA —
Amid global turbulence in air freight, Africa is charting a different trajectory—one marked by rapid growth and long-term strategic planning. As fuel volatility and carbon concerns dominate headlines elsewhere, the continent’s air cargo sector is quietly becoming a force of its own.
“Air freight is no longer a luxury service—it’s an economic engine,” said David Muriuki, Director of Cargo at the Kenya Airports Authority. “And we’re building infrastructure to match that reality.”
Volume, value, and visibility
In the first quarter of 2025, Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) reported a 14% year-on-year increase in cargo throughput. Further west, Accra’s Kotoka International Airport has doubled its cold chain storage capacity since 2023, responding to demand from exporters in pharmaceuticals and fresh produce.
New freight corridors are forming. Addis Ababa and Nairobi now anchor a south-north flow of goods that bypasses the old dependence on European transit points.
“Africa is exporting on its own terms now,” said Fatou Diarra, Regional Manager at SkyLift West Africa. “We’re connecting production zones directly with markets—not just through them.”
Global players, local partnerships
The continent’s rising profile hasn’t gone unnoticed. Qatar Airways Cargo, Turkish Airlines, and Emirates SkyCargo have all expanded operations in African hubs. Meanwhile, regional operators like Ethiopian Cargo and Astral Aviation are adding routes, investing in new warehouses, and modernizing fleets.
Public-private partnerships are proving crucial. By funding upgrades to customs clearance systems and handling equipment, these collaborations are reducing turnaround times and boosting service standards.
“We’ve moved from possibility to performance,” Diarra said. “The infrastructure is finally catching up to the ambition.”
Challenges on the runway
Still, gaps remain. Insurance options for air freight across Africa remain limited. Regulatory fragmentation between countries slows down route approvals and operational standardization.
“Growth without governance won’t be sustainable,” said Peter Okoye, an aviation policy advisor at the African Union. “We need continental coordination—especially as investment accelerates.”
Taking the lead, not following it
Africa’s air cargo landscape is no longer on the sidelines of global trade—it’s at the center of new trade routes. With a youthful population, rising manufacturing zones, and improving access to open skies, the continent’s logistics role is shifting fast.
“The narrative has changed,” Muriuki concluded. “Africa isn’t the last stop anymore. We’re becoming the starting point.”
