Aviation to add US$75bn to Africa’s GDP | By Dominick Andoh | Kamil Alawadhi, Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has said aviation is powering Africa’s economic future, supporting millions of jobs and driving trade and connectivity across the continent.
Delivering remarks at the Aviation Africa Summit in Kigali, Mr. Alawadhi underscored aviation’s economic and social importance, noting that in 2023, air transport supported 8.1 million jobs and contributed $75 billion to Africa’s GDP. “Every aviation job supports 22 others across the economy. This is the multiplier effect of connectivity, and it’s why aviation matters,” he stressed.
The sector’s resilience has continued into 2025. As of July, African carriers reported a 6.7% year-to-date increase in passenger traffic, showing strong recovery and rising demand for both intra-African and long-haul services.
Cargo operations are also on the upswing, with airlines posting a 9.4% year-on-year increase in July, their best performance since August 2024. Growth on the Africa–Asia corridor surged 12.1%, while expanded belly-hold capacity climbed to its highest level since 2019.
Looking to the future, Africa’s aviation market is projected to expand at 4.1% annually over the next two decades, the third-fastest growth rate globally, reaching an estimated 411 million passengers. East Africa is expected to lead this expansion, followed by Central and West Africa, Southern Africa, and Northern Africa.
Alawadhi emphasized that aviation’s growth will be vital to Africa’s broader development goals, but warned that realising its full potential will require governments to accelerate reforms in air transport liberalisation, infrastructure investment, and visa facilitation.
“Aviation is more than transport, it is a lifeline for jobs, trade, and opportunity. Africa cannot afford to miss this growth window,” he said.
Aviation to add US$75bn to Africa’s GDP | AviationGhana| Send all enquiries and press releases to AviationGhana.info@gmail.com
