African airlines experienced a 3.4% decline in air cargo traffic in January 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to the latest report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
This decline occurred despite a 5.4% increase in capacity, revealing a significant underutilization of available infrastructure.
Africa, along with the Middle East (-8.4%), is one of the few regions globally to report a decrease in air freight volumes.
In contrast, Latin America saw a remarkable 11.2% increase in air cargo traffic, followed by Asia-Pacific (+7.5%), North America (+5.3%), and Europe (+1.3%).
Despite regional disparities, global air cargo volumes rose by 3.2%, marking 18 consecutive months of growth, with international transactions increasing by 3.6%. Key factors driving this growth include:
- A 2.6% increase in global industrial production in December 2024.
- A 3.3% rise in international merchandise trade in December, marking its ninth consecutive month of growth.
- The manufacturing PMI index remaining above 50 points in January, signaling expansion.
While other regions benefit from economic recovery, Africa faces challenges in capitalizing on the global air freight boom. The continent struggles with outdated infrastructure, high costs, and weak intra-African trade integration, which hinder its competitiveness in the sector.
“Demand remains volatile in Africa, and the lack of a fluid supply chain is impacting the continent’s ability to compete,” said an air transport expert.
To capture a larger share of global air freight growth, the African market will need to strengthen its infrastructure and improve connectivity in the short term.
