Speaking in an interview, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Alawadhi, said a well-structured aviation strategy anchored on safety, cost efficiency, competitiveness and sustainability would unlock long-term economic value for African nations.
“The prosperity this generates will allow governments to push forward social and economic development more durably than any tax that might be collected from travellers,” he said.
According to data from IATA, African airlines recorded a 19.2 percent year-on-year increase in passenger demand in March. Capacity also rose by 4.2 percent over the same period, while load factors improved to 77.7 percent, reflecting stronger utilisation of available seats across the region.
The figures point to a sustained rebound in air travel demand across Africa, driven by increasing connectivity, growing business activity, and gradual recovery in tourism flows.
Despite the positive growth trajectory, IATA stressed the need for stronger regulatory alignment and safety oversight across African aviation systems.
The association called for improved implementation of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS), broader adoption of global safety audit frameworks, and more consistent reporting of aviation accidents.
Between 2019 and 2023, only 19 percent of aviation accidents in the region were fully investigated and concluded, compared to a global average of 63 percent, highlighting a significant gap in safety reporting and institutional capacity.
Beyond safety and regulation, IATA emphasised that sustainability and energy security must become central pillars of Africa’s aviation development strategy.
The association noted that Sub-Saharan Africa has the potential to produce up to 106 million tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)-suitable feedstock by 2050. These resources would largely come from agricultural residues, forestry waste, and municipal solid waste, creating an opportunity to align aviation growth with environmental and energy transition goals.
Industry stakeholders say this positions the continent not only as a consumer of aviation fuel but also as a potential contributor to global sustainable fuel supply chains.
IATA also pointed to Ethiopia as a leading example of aviation-driven economic expansion on the continent.
Passenger traffic to and from the East African country is projected to triple over the next two decades, driven by sustained investment in infrastructure, workforce development and sustainability initiatives.
“With 60 percent of Ethiopia’s population under the age of 25, aviation presents a powerful opportunity to transform growth into jobs, skills and broader economic development,” Alawadhi said.
The country’s aviation ecosystem continues to serve as a regional hub, supporting connectivity across Africa, the Middle East and beyond.
On the sidelines of this year’s discussions, IATA also announced the launch of its Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) in Somalia, a development aimed at strengthening the country’s integration into global aviation financial systems.
The initiative is expected to simplify financial transactions between airlines and travel agents, improve operational efficiency, and support Somalia’s broader efforts to expand its aviation sector and international connectivity.
“The government recognises the significant economic benefits that air travel can deliver, and we are pleased to support them on that journey,” Alawadhi said.
As air travel demand continues to rise across Africa, IATA maintains that the sector’s long-term impact will depend on how effectively governments align policy, infrastructure investment and sustainability goals.
With strong passenger growth, untapped sustainable fuel potential, and expanding regional hubs, aviation is increasingly being positioned not just as a transport sector, but as a strategic engine for economic transformation across the continent.