The African air cargo industry is working to expand its capacity steadily by collecting more investments to improve its effectiveness. This sector has undergone major changes since Magma Aviation, an innovative Air Cargo Solutions, began working on this continent more than a decade ago. This year, as the company’s twenty -fifth anniversary approaching, the CEO of Magma Aviation, Peter Kerins is participating in the changing air freight industry in Africa.
Changes in the demand for African goods
The International Association of Air Transport Association (IATA) for Global Air Cargo Markets in January 2025 shows total demand, measured in kilometers tons of goods (CTK), by 3.2 % compared to the levels of January 2024 (3.6 % for international operations) for the eighteenth month of growth, respectively.
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Last year, airlines witnessed an increase of 8.5 % in the demand for air cargo. The expected growth this year is slow, but promising, especially given the changes and improvements in infrastructure, expansion, technology integration and improvement of the process.
The unique geographical situation of Africa between Asia, Europe and the Americas remains a valuable advantage, and for this reason, many airports throughout the continent are developing central networks. According to Peter Kerins, Nairobi is the most crowded shipping airports on the continent, followed by Cairo and Johannesburg. Other important centers are Addis Ababa, boats, and Lagos.
One of the causes of the increasing demand for air cargo on the continent is the middle -class expanding. An increasing need for goods services to provide international and highly valuable goods, especially in urban centers. Another is the rapid expansion of e -commerce. This market is expected to grow at an annual CAGR growth rate by 8.46 % from 2025 to 2029, as it reached a value of $ 56.03 billion by 2029. International e -commerce has created a new demand for rapid air freight services, with increased internet access and mobile shopping becomes more common.
“As a result, global e -commerce companies, such as Amazon, enter the African market, while local platforms such as Jumia and Takelot are expanding their operations. With the high online shopping, there is greater need for effective logistical solutions.” Magma Aviation CEO: “Air cargo is preferred for high -value goods and sensitive time.”
African continental free trade zone (AFCFTA), which consists of 55 member states of the African Union, is working to improve the African trade by reducing commercial barriers and coordinating regulations. The initiative is expected to increase the demand for air freight services, which simplifies the movement of goods throughout the continent.
Airports in Africa pay investments in infrastructure to meet the increasing demand for air cargo. For example, Cairo International Airport amid great expansion, includes building a new station and modernizing its facilities, to become a major center for global aviation. Over the past few years, many African airports and distribution systems have witnessed great promotions, as many countries are working to update their infrastructure to manage the increasing demand and improve the efficiency of goods treatment.
The increasing trends of cargo shipments in African air cargo
The African air freight sector is witnessing impressive growth in exporting cut flowers. Countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania lead this expansion, as Kenya alone represents about 40 % of all the flowers cut in Europe.
The damageable goods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers and seafood, have become dominant in African air shipping shipments. Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa are the main sources of damageable commodities, specifically to Europe and the Middle East. This has increased investment in refrigerated charging facilities and the coordination of the cold chain in African airports.
The transmission of medications, especially vaccines, grows in Africa as well. This also drives the need to improve the cold chain logs, and many airports upgrade their charging facilities to support the temperature -dominated storage.
Good value goods such as electronics, precious metals and luxury elements are a large part of African air charging, caused by increased demand for products such as smartphones and laptops. The export of precious minerals and minerals from countries such as South Africa, Ghana and Tanzania contributes to this request.
In many African countries, the elections require the delivery of timely materials such as voter registration documents, their votes, and voter education materials, and air freight of remote areas is often used. Currency shipments, including newly printed banknotes and metal processes, also depend on air charging for safe and timely delivery.
The biggest challenge facing the air freight industry in Africa
One of the main challenges is high expenditures, including goods processing fees, high fuel costs and shipping taxes. Due to the high prices, the proposal of the value of air freight services decreases, which makes it difficult to maintain profitability.
Another issue is the infrastructure. More than 50 % of Africa airports lack adequate shipping infrastructure. The incomplete infrastructure obstructs the movement of improved goods, which leads to delay, increased handling times, and possible damage to damageable commodities.
Geopolitical instability also plays an important role in the African air freight industry, causing longer travel times and safety threats. “Political instability and regional conflicts, such as those in Sudan, can lead to the closure of airspace and longer travel times. In addition, security risks such as smuggling and threats to the safety of the crew constitute great challenges to shipping.”
To improve the movement of goods, airports update the charging facilities. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from Nairobi underwent a charging handling capabilities. The stakeholders cooperate in the industry to expand communication operations and simplify operations.
“It is important for the industry to adopt advanced technologies, improve operational efficiency, safety and compliance.” This includes the implementation of digital platforms to track goods and adopt automatic systems to process goods. “
The importance of expansion and development
In recent years, the increasing demand for air freight, African infrastructure and logistical infrastructure have noticeable developments, with many countries investing in their facilities. The expansion of airport stations and shipping facilities is one of the main improvements in the African cargo industry. The main airports such as Jumo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Cape Town International Airport and Lagos Mohamed International Airport have wounded renovations to improve their ability to deal with both travelers and shipments, such as building new cargo limbs, and enhancing the capabilities of the acemate.
Some airports are increasingly dependent on automation and advanced technology in the processing of goods, including automatic sorting systems, high -charging tracking systems, and better integration with supply chain management tools. Addis Ababa Polly International Airport has invested in cold storage facilities and specialized dealing to meet the increasing demand for damageable goods, a vital aspect of export markets in Africa.
Airports should also enhance multimedia transport links, such as road connection and railway, which facilitates the smoother freight movement from airports to internal destinations. In addition, there may be a stronger focus on strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors to fill resources to update facilities and improve the provision of services.
Many African countries are investing in improving their ports infrastructure, which makes marine shipping more competitive in cost and ability. This may challenge air charging, especially for loose goods and non -damaged goods, as cost efficiency is necessary.
“With better solutions to infrastructure and logistics in African ports, marine shipping can take a greater share of the shipping market, which may reduce the demand for air freight services, especially in the sectors where the speed is less than a priority. As a result, the air cargo industry may face increasing pressure to adapt and innovate to maintain its competitive advantage in this advanced market dynamics,” the president notes, the president notes. Magma Aviation.
