Staff Writer
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged African governments to place aviation at the centre of long-term economic planning, saying the sector supports trade, tourism, jobs and regional integration.
IATA regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East Kamil Alawadhi said aviation should be treated as core economic infrastructure rather than a source of short-term tax revenue.
He said policies focused on safety, cost control, sustainability, energy security and ease of doing business would support long-term growth across the continent.
IATA said Africa has made progress in safety, but accident rates remain high.
The rate improved from 12.13 per million sectors in 2024 to 7.86 in 2025, still above the global average of 1.32.
The association called on governments to increase implementation of International Civil Aviation Organization standards, publish more investigation reports and use global safety audit programmes.
It said implementation of ICAO standards across 46 of 48 Sub-Saharan African countries stands at 60.34%, below the global average of 69.46% and short of the 75% target.
IATA also flagged high operating costs. Taxes and charges imposed by governments and service providers are about 15% above the global average.
It pointed to rising advance passenger information and passenger name record charges. Tanzania’s one-way fee of US$45 was described as the highest globally. Charges in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya were also above international levels.
The association urged full implementation of a December 2025 ECOWAS decision to remove some aviation taxes and reduce selected charges by 25%.
On ease of doing business, IATA said African countries account for the largest share of blocked airline funds globally.
About US$774 million in airline revenue could not be repatriated by the end of March 2026.
Algeria holds US$258 million, followed by the XAF zone with US$105 million, Mozambique with US$82 million, Eritrea with US$78 million and Angola with US$73 million.
Alawadhi said blocked funds weaken airline operations and reduce connectivity, calling for urgent government action.
IATA said Africa could supply 57.6 million eligible emission units under the global carbon scheme, but only a few countries have started participating.
Caption
IATA says Africa must see aviation as essential economic infrastructure rather than a source of short-term taxation.
- Photo: ContributedÂ
