IATA: East Africa driving growth, but Africa’s skies require course correction

September 4, 2025 in Business, Companies, Trade & Industry, Transport, Travel & Tourism by Editor

At the Aviation Africa 2025 Summit in Kigali, IATA’s Kamil Alawadhi hailed East Africa’s strong performance but warned that high costs, blocked funds and slow liberalization could stall the continent’s aviation potential.

East Africa is poised to drive the next phase of Africa’s aviation expansion, making the sub-region the focal point of the continent’s air traffic growth over the next two decades. This is the view of Kamil Alawadhi, the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, who addressed industry leaders today at the opening of the Aviation Africa 2025 Summit in Kigali.

Alawadhi said Africa’s aviation industry finds itself at a crossroads where global turbulence collides with regional opportunity, and he singled out East Africa as the sub-region best positioned to capitalise on this moment. Passenger traffic on African carriers has already increased by 6.7pc year-to-date as of July, reflecting sustained recovery and rising demand. Projections show the continent’s market will grow by 4.1pc annually over the next 20 years, reaching 411 million passengers, with East Africa leading the surge ahead of Central and West Africa, Southern Africa, and North Africa.

Cargo flows are also strengthening, with African carriers recording a 9.4pc year-on-year increase in July—their strongest monthly performance in nearly a year. The rebound has been particularly pronounced on the Africa–Asia corridor, where demand grew by more than 12pc. “This is proof of Africa’s resilience and of the opportunities that exist if the right policies are put in place,” Alawadhi told delegates.

He cautioned, however, that the continent’s growth potential remains constrained by limited connectivity and sluggish progress on liberalisation. Although 38 African states have signed onto the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), implementation has been slow, leaving large parts of the continent underserved. “In many cases, it is easier to fly to another continent than between two African countries. That is a barrier to growth and opportunity,” he said, urging governments to accelerate reforms that would allow airlines to expand routes, lower fares, and compete more effectively.

Alawadhi pointed to Rwanda’s own open visa policy, alongside similar initiatives in Benin, The Gambia, and Seychelles, as an example of how governments can unlock growth by making it easier for people to move across borders. He also highlighted Cape Town’s Air Access program as proof of what can be achieved when connectivity is prioritised. The initiative has attracted 18 new routes, expanded 23 others, and delivered more than $290 million in tourism spending while creating over 10,000 jobs.

Trade integration was another central theme of his address. With intra-African trade representing just 15pc of the continent’s total, compared with more than 60pc in Europe, he argued that aviation is indispensable to realizing the ambition of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Yet more than 80pc of intra-African routes remain underserved, limiting the benefits of regional integration. “Airlines, airports, and logistics companies are ready. What we need is for governments to recognise aviation as a strategic enabler, not just a source of tax revenue,” he emphasized.

The IATA executive warned that Africa’s competitive position is undermined by high taxes and charges, which are about 15pc above the global average despite the continent’s lower purchasing power. He also criticized governments for withholding airline funds, with $940 million in revenues currently blocked across Africa—three quarters of the global total. This, he said, undermines airline viability and violates international agreements.

Alawadhi also raised concerns about safety oversight, noting that African states’ compliance with international standards lags the global average, and urged governments to accelerate infrastructure investments and regulatory reforms. He cited Ethiopia and Rwanda as examples of countries that have prioritised aviation as a pillar of their national development strategies, with investments in flag carriers and new airports helping to turn them into regional hubs.

Closing his address, Alawadhi reminded delegates that Africa’s young population, growing markets, and strategic geography give it unique advantages in a shifting global economy. But these advantages can only be realized if political will aligns with industry momentum. “Africa is rich in opportunity. Aviation can be the engine that connects these opportunities, drives integration, and unlocks prosperity. But continued fragmentation and high costs will hold the continent back. The time for action is now,” he said.