The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on African governments to prioritise aviation as a strategic driver of long-term economic growth, warning that high costs, regulatory inefficiencies and policy gaps continue to constrain the sector’s potential.
Speaking at IATA’s Focus Africa Conference in Addis Ababa on Thursday, the organisation’s regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Alawadhi emphasised the sector’s broader economic value.
“Aviation is economic infrastructure for Africa. Its value lies in the long term benefits it delivers. An aviation strategy focused on safety, cost-competitiveness, energy security/sustainability, and ease of doing business will create jobs, enable trade, support tourism, and further regional integration,” he said.
IATA acknowledged progress but flagged safety as a priority area, as Africa’s accident rate improved from 12.13 to 7.86 per million sectors (a sector is one flight leg between airports) between 2024 and 2025, but remains significantly higher than the global average of 1.32.
The association called for stronger implementation of International Civil Aviation Organisation standards, improved publication of accident reports, and wider use of global safety audits.
Cost-competitiveness remains another major constraint.
IATA noted that aviation-related taxes and charges in Africa are about 15% higher than the global average. It criticised rising API-PNR fees, highlighting Tanzania’s $45 one-way charge as the highest globally, and called for the implementation of a December 2025 ECOWAS decision to eliminate aviation taxes and cut select charges by 25%.
The association also warned against proposals for source-based taxation of airlines emerging in UN discussions, arguing the industry’s cross-border nature makes residence-based taxation “the most efficient and fair method”.
Barriers to doing business were also highlighted, particularly the issue of blocked airline funds.
As of end-March 2026, $774 million in airline revenues remained trapped in African markets, with Algeria accounting for the largest share at $258 million.
“Given the scale of funds blocked in Algeria, urgent and decisive government action in Algeria is essential,” said Alawadhi, adding that lack of responsiveness from authorities risked damaging connectivity.
Visa restrictions were cited as another drag on intra-African travel, with nearly half of routes still requiring pre-departure visas, limiting tourism and regional integration.
On sustainability, IATA pointed to significant opportunities for Africa in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production and carbon markets.
The continent could supply up to 106 million tonnes of SAF feedstock by 2050 and generate climate finance through Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation compliant emission units, although only a handful of countries have taken initial steps.
IATA said coordinated policy support, investment in infrastructure, and alignment with global frameworks would be key to unlocking aviation’s role as a catalyst for economic development across the continent.
