Removing Barriers To Air Cargo Development In Africa
“Most people prefer to travel with excess luggage than to do cargo. We want to see more facilitation of cargo processes in the continent, alongside more investment in the sector.”
These were the words of Mr. Raphael Kuuchi of African Airlines Association (AFRAA) during a panel session on Development Of Air Cargo And Corridor-Based Route Development at the African Air Transport Convention & Expo held in Lome, Togo, June 15 to 19, 2026.
In his presentation, the Managing Director of Boeing in Africa, Mr. Henok Teferra Shawl stressed the need to change the structure of African economies to make cargo business more viable, saying that “unless we have industrialized based economies, no matter how we scream about cargo.”
“We need to transform the cargo economy from commodity economy to value economy,” he said, adding that those who are ready for the development should be incentivized so they can move forward. He said Boeing has 90% of the global cargo market.
The Chief Executive Officer of ASKY Airline, Mr. Esayas W. Hailu said developing the cargo market in the continent requires a team work involving government, financiers, airports and other stakeholders..
“Airlines should make use of the belly hole capacity of their aircraft. Governments have a big role to play because airlines require from governments, a lot of cooperation. Governments should fully implement Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), not only for passengers but also for cargo. For airports, they should offer transparent incentives like parking lots and others. For financiers, they should provide risk guarantees,” said Hailu.
The Regional Vice President, Africa & Middle East, International Air Transport Association (IATA), Mr. Kamil Al-Wadhi frowned at the over $300 million in blocked funds in Africa.
“You can have all the plans on cargo. If at the end of the day, you don’t get paid, it makes no sense,” he said.
Mr. Sanjeev Ghadia, Chief Executive Officer of Astral Aviation said granting of air traffic rights and removal of the many existing cargo taxes will help remove hindrances to air cargo development in Africa.
“We have to look at removing those taxes,” he said.
Angola’s Minister of Transport, Mr. Ricardo Viegas D’Abreu said there has to be awareness of availability of cargo goods in the various parts of Africa for demand to be created for cargo.
