CONNECTING THE CONTINENT

Over the past decade, the African airfreight market has witnessed significant growth driven by several key factors for both import and export. The increasing demand for high-value, time-sensitive goods, such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, flowers and other perishables, has spurred the need for faster and more reliable transportation.

The rising middle class and urbanisation have also contributed to higher consumption, particularly for time-sensitive and high-value goods. Additionally, the growing demand for e-commerce, the expansion of industries like agriculture and pharmaceuticals, and the strengthening of regional trade agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) have all created new opportunities for airfreight services.

“Africa’s airfreight market has experienced significant growth, driven by a combination of increasing demand for high-value goods, rising intraAfrican trade, and the burgeoning e-commerce sector,” Jennifer van Wyk, Country Manager – South Africa, Chapman Freeborn, stated.

“Kenya has positioned itself as a key hub for cargo operations in East Africa. Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) has consistently served as a major gateway for both imports and exports, with Kenya being a crucial trade route for perishables like flowers, fresh produce, and pharmaceuticals. The country’s strategic location, alongside improvements in infrastructure and logistics networks, has helped Kenya maintain its status as one of the most significant airfreight hubs in Africa.”

“There has also been significant investment across the continent to modernise airport infrastructure, including cargo terminals, and to accommodate growing airfreight demand. As a result, major airports in countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Africa have become key hubs for regional and international trade,” Beau Paine, Global Head of Cargo at Menzies Aviation, explained.

“These factors, combined with advancements in infrastructure and technology, are driving continued growth in the sector,” Harish Shah, CEO of M&C Aviation, added. Facilitating trade Airfreight is a cornerstone of Africa’s trade with the rest of the world, providing a fast and reliable way to move high-value, perishable, and time-sensitive goods.

It connects African businesses to global markets, boosts intra-Africa trade, supports humanitarian efforts, and attracts foreign investment, all of which contri…