IATA Urges Africa to Prioritise Aviation Investment Amid Growth

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on African governments to prioritise aviation as a socio-economic enabler, citing steady growth in passenger and cargo traffic across the continent.

In an interview, Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, said a robust aviation strategy focused on safety, cost-competitiveness, and sustainability would help create jobs, enable trade, and support tourism.

“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,” Alawadhi stated.

IATA data shows that African airlines recorded a 19.2 percent year-on-year increase in demand in March, with capacity up 4.2 percent and load factors reaching 77.7 percent.

The association called for greater implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS), wider use of global safety audits, and more consistent accident reporting. Between 2019 and 2023, only 19 percent of accidents in Africa were completed (investigated and reported), compared to the global average of 63 percent.

On sustainability, IATA noted that Sub-Saharan Africa has the potential to supply up to 106 million tonnes of SAF-ready feedstock by 2050, derived largely from agricultural residues, forestry waste, and municipal solid waste. This, the association said, links energy security with the continent’s sustainability agenda.

IATA also held up Ethiopia as a beacon for the region’s aviation sector. Passenger numbers to and from the East African country are expected to triple over the next 20 years, underscoring the need for continued investment in infrastructure, people, and sustainability.

“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.

On the sidelines of this year’s forum, IATA launched its Billing & Settlement Plan in Somalia, supporting the Somali government’s push to expand its aviation sector and global connectivity.

“The government recognises the significant economic benefits that air travel can deliver, and we are pleased to support them on that journey,” Alawadhi concluded.