IATA highlights cargo growth in MEA amid global headwinds

Africa’s air cargo market reported a 9.4 per cent year-on-year increase in July 2025, said Kamil Al-Awadhi, Regional Vice President, Africa and the Middle East, IATA. He said the growth reflects resilient demand for intra-African and long-haul cargo flows, even as the global aviation sector faces rising costs, disrupted routes, and geopolitical pressures. Aviation is essential to Africa’s economic ambitions, particularly in advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and supporting regional supply chains, Al-Awadhi added. Collaboration is essential to unlock cargo opportunities and ensure sustainable growth across African markets.