Prudent Policies Can Unlock Africa’s Huge Aviation Potential

Africa holds immense untapped potential in aviation — in both passenger and cargo markets — but realising this opportunity requires tackling a combination of infrastructure, policy, skills, and market challenges.

Industry experts highlight that many African airports suffer from congestion, outdated facilities, and limited capacity.

Upgrading runways, terminals, air traffic control systems, and cargo handling facilities will be essential to improving efficiency and safety, they say.

Top aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus project that Africa’s air traffic could more than double in the next 20 years — but only if systematic barriers are tackled.

In 2018, an initiative was launched in Africa to liberalise air services in the continent.

Dubbed Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), the initiative focused on prioritising air transport for the economic benefit of the entire continent.

Unfortunately, many African countries haven’t either committed or are slow to enforce SAATM.

Easier travel between African states would have significantly boosted tourism, business travel, and intra-African trade.

Recently, the global body of airlines - IATA urged African governments to prioritise aviation as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, connectivity, and social development.

The airlines body said each state on the continent can do this by enhancing safety, reducing the cost burden, and resolving the issue of blocked airline funds.

“Africa’s aviation sector is a vital economic driver, contributing $75bn to GDP and supporting 8.1mn jobs,” noted Somas Appavou, IATA’s Regional Director External Affairs, Africa.

“The continent’s aviation market is projected to grow at 4.1% over the next 20 years, doubling by 2044. More important than the growth of the sector is the impact that a successful aviation industry has on social and economic development.

As governments prioritise how to deliver their agendas with limited resources it is critical to recognise that supporting aviation underpins jobs, trade, and tourism.”

IATA outlined three key priorities for African governments, such as improving safety, reducing taxes and charges on air travel, and ensuring airlines are able to repatriate revenues from the African market.

Although aviation safety has improved in the region, the continent’s safety rate lags the global average in its implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS).

Also, taxes on air transport in Africa are 15% higher than the global average, while $1bn of carrier revenues are being blocked from repatriation by some 26 different African governments, according to IATA data published during association’s AGM in New Delhi in June this year.

Airlines facing blocked funds often reduce flight frequencies or suspend routes.

“These challenges are not new but solving them is urgent—that’s why IATA launched the Focus Africa initiative in 2023, working hand-in-hand with governments, industry, and development partners to deliver real improvements in safety, affordability, and connectivity,” Appavou pointed out.

“Aviation is not a luxury. It is an economic and social lifeline. Focus Africa is about turning potential into jobs, growth and prosperity.”

Mandatory reporting of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) will begin in 2027—as of 2025, 129 countries are participating in CORSIA, including 20 African states.

IATA has called on African governments to ensure the success of CORSIA as the only globally agreed, market-based mechanism to address CO2 emissions from international aviation.

Africa’s ticket prices are inflated by multiple levies on airlines and passengers. For example, jet fuel costs in many African airports are often far higher than the global average.

Analysts project Africa will need tens of thousands of new pilots over the next 20 years, but training capacity is limited. They recommend establishing technical colleges and aviation academies to meet the growing demand for aviation professionals in the continent.

If Africa can modernise infrastructure, open its skies, harmonise rules, and train the workforce, the aviation sector could indeed become a growth engine — supporting tourism, trade, and integration across the continent.