T he African air freight sector is poised for significant growth in light of the continent’s emerging middle class, infrastructure developments and increasing foreign direct investment. “All of this will eventually drive cargo traffic growth,” said Kobus Theron, general manager of strategy and compliance at Aims Global Logistics (AGL). “This growth will be boosted even more as African stakeholders partner with international role-players.” Speaking to FTW, Theron said partnerships were a vital component of cargo operations on the continent. “Local partners on the ground that have the local knowledge are essential to navigate the many challenges that still exist in Africa, including political instability and poor infrastructure and handling facilities – not to mention the excessive regulations and bureaucracy.” AGL, one of the founding members of the Airfreight Logistics Network for Africa (Alna), a sister network of Africa Logistics Network, is extremely positive about the air freight sector in Africa. “Although we are a fully fledged international forwarding agent that covers sea and air freight, the bulk of our international freightforwarding activities relates to air freight, most of which is out of Europe,” he said. “We have, however, realised that the world is becoming increasingly more aware of the development potential of the African continent.” He said that whilst air freight had been under pressure in recent months – highlighted by recent International Air Transport Association (Iata) statistics that found air freight markets had again contracted in July, this time by 3.2% – there was still much positivity with regard to Africa. “Global air cargo volumes continue to suffer from weak global trade and the intensifying trade war between the US and China,” said Theron. “Interestingly, Iata states that African carriers posted the fastest growth of any region in July, with an increase in demand of 10.9% compared to the same period a year earlier. This bodes very well for the African air freight industry.”
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The world is becoming increasingly more aware of the development potential of the African continent. – Kobus Theron