African airlines delivered one of the strongest air cargo performances globally in 2025, underscoring the continent’s growing relevance in global supply chains, according to new data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Full-year figures show that African carriers recorded a 6.0 per cent year-on-year increase in air cargo demand, significantly outperforming the global average growth rate of 3.4 per cent. Cargo capacity across the region also expanded by 7.8 per cent, reflecting sustained investment in air freight operations and improved connectivity.
Momentum strengthened towards the end of the year, with December 2025 marking the strongest monthly performance among all regions. African airlines posted a 10.1 per cent increase in cargo demand compared to December 2024, while capacity rose by 9.8 per cent. The surge highlights growing intra-African trade flows, expanding e-commerce activity, and rising demand for fast, reliable logistics solutions across key sectors including pharmaceuticals, perishables, and manufacturing inputs.
IATA’s data indicates that Africa’s performance was supported by broader global trends, including increased trade volumes, easing fuel prices, and a gradual stabilization of air cargo yields. While global yields declined marginally by 1.5 per cent year-on-year, they remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, providing a supportive revenue environment for carriers.
The strong showing by African airlines comes at a time when global trade routes are being reshaped by tariff pressures and geopolitical uncertainty, creating opportunities for emerging markets to capture new traffic flows. As airlines across the continent continue to scale capacity and improve operational efficiency, Africa’s air cargo sector is increasingly positioned as a growth engine within the global aviation ecosystem.
