The aviation industry is in a crucial moment in history, with global developments, regional transformation and local ambition that crosses.
According to Kamil Al-Awadhi, Regional Vice President of Africa and the Middle East of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the industry faces real challenges, including the interrupted routes, the increase in costs and restricted connectivity, as the world witnesses a withdrawal of the opening, with commercial barriers, sanctions and geopolitical tensions that reshapen the market Global
Al-Awadhi said this while pronouncing his speech at the summit and the Aviation Africa 2025 exhibition from September 4 to 5 in Kigali, Rwanda.
According to him, despite these challenges, the Aviation sector of Africa continues to show resistant yield, since African operators record a 6.7 percent increase in passenger traffic from July 2025, which reflects a sustained recovery and a growing demand for domestic and long distance connectivity.
The load side, he said, also recorded an increase of 9.4 percent year -on -year in the demand for air loading in July, marking its strongest monthly performance since August 2024.
Al-Awadhi emphasized the importance of aviation in Africa, noting that it supported 8.1 million jobs and contributed $ 75 billion to the GDP of Africa in 2023.
“Each aviation work is compatible with another 22 throughout the economy, highlighting the multiplier effect of connectivity. It is forecast that the African aviation market will grow to 4.1 % per year in the next 20 years, reaching 411 million passengers, with Eastern Africa leading in the expected growth, followed by central and western Africa, South Africa and North Africa,” he said.
However, Al-Awadhi said that the aviation potential of Africa is limited by fragmentation, high costs and underdeveloped infrastructure.
He emphasized the need for strategic priorities, including the connection of the continent and the strengthening of domestic trade.
“The Single African air transport market (SAATM) was created to open skies in Africa, increase competition, reduce rates and expand routes, but progress in implementation remains slow, with only 38 countries to register.
“Visas opening is essential for connectivity, so Al-Awadhi encouraged governments to adopt access without electronic visas and vvisas to support tourism, trade and regional integration,” he said.
He quoted Rwanda, Benin, Gambia and Seychelles as examples of countries that have implemented access without visa to all Africans.
“The Cape Town air access initiative is a successful example of a specific collaboration that offers a real economic impact, attracts 18 new routes and expands another 23, contributing more than $ 290 million in tourist expenses and creating more than 10,000 jobs,” he said.
Al-Awadhi said that the African continental trade area (AFCFTA) has the potential to get millions of poverty by building a single market of 1.3 billion people, and aviation is key to achieving this ambition.
However, he said that domestic trade is only 15 percent of the total continent trade, compared to more than 60 percent in Europe.
Al-Awadhi emphasized the need for governments to recognize aviation as a strategic facilitator of trade, not only a source of tax revenue, and invest in aviation infrastructure, release markets and align policies to build resilient supply chains and unleash new economic corridors.
“To unlock these opportunities, governments must prioritize aviation as a strategic facilitator of economic growth, take five essential actions: make aviation a strategic priority, improve aviation security, guarantee the competitiveness of costs, invest in infrastructure and accelerate liberalization.”
He warned against the growing trend in API-PNR positions in Africa, emphasizing that border security is the responsibility of a state, and airlines and travelers should not bear this financial burden.
The question of the funds of the blocked airlines was also highlighted, with $ 940 million in revenues of the airlines retained by the African governments from August 2025, undermining connectivity and violating international agreements.
Al-Awadhi emphasized the need for collaboration, political will and vision to make aviation a promoter of inclusive and sustainable prosperity for all Africans.
He concluded that the future of Africa aviation depends on the industry’s ability to respond to global challenges and capitalize on regional opportunities.
“With appropriate policies and investments, aviation can be a powerful engine of economic growth, integration and development, unlocking prosperity for all Africans,” he said.
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