The Worldwide Air Transport Affiliation (IATA) has projected that Africa’s aviation sector will develop by 4.1% yearly over the following 20 years, with the market anticipated to double in dimension by 2044.
This forecast was disclosed by Somas Appavou, IATA’s Regional Director for Exterior Affairs in Africa, in a press launch printed on the affiliation’s web site on Wednesday.
IATA said that the continent’s aviation trade already contributes $75 billion to GDP and helps 8.1 million jobs, describing it as an important engine of {economic} and social growth.
“Africa’s aviation sector is a crucial {economic} driver, contributing USD 75 billion to GDP and supporting 8.1 million jobs. The continent’s aviation market is projected to develop at 4.1% over the following 20 years, doubling by 2044,” Appavou said.
IATA emphasised that the forecast progress for Africa’s aviation sector can solely be achieved if governments create a stronger coverage framework that encourages funding and helps connectivity. This, the affiliation famous, means specializing in the elemental points that maintain the trade again fairly than viewing aviation as a income by extreme levies and restrictions.
The press launch highlighted three areas the place pressing motion is required. The primary is aviation security. IATA known as on African states to shut lengthy‑standing gaps by absolutely implementing Worldwide Civil Aviation Group (ICAO) Requirements and Advisable Practices.
Whereas security efficiency on the continent has improved through the years, Africa nonetheless lags behind world benchmarks. The affiliation identified that efficient implementation of ICAO requirements averages 59.49% throughout Sub‑Saharan Africa, in comparison with 69.16% globally, leaving room for enchancment in regulatory oversight and accident investigation.
The second precedence, IATA famous, is the excessive price of air journey. Taxes and fees imposed on airways and passengers throughout Africa are about 15% increased than the worldwide common.
IATA warned that these prices discourage passenger demand and put a brake on the broader {economic} advantages of aviation, which embrace the motion of products, tourism, and job creation. The affiliation mentioned a greater strategy is to work with trade gamers on environment friendly, scalable infrastructure that encourages visitors progress as a substitute of suppressing it with heavy charges.
Past these structural points, IATA additionally known as on African governments to assist the Carbon Offsetting and Discount Scheme for Worldwide Aviation (CORSIA) as the first world framework for managing aviation’s carbon emissions.
Fragmented regional taxes or separate emissions schemes, the affiliation warned, might create inefficiencies and improve prices, in the end harming progress.
As of 2025, 129 nations, together with 20 from Africa, are already taking part in CORSIA, which is in its preliminary voluntary reporting part and can turn into necessary in 2027.
