Ahead of its Focus Africa Conference in Addis Ababa, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have published four key strategic pillars to boost the competitivity of African aviation on the global stage. Noting that air travel contributes significantly to economic growth and social development, the organisation says that the continent has made progress in recent years but could still improve across many areas.
Increase safety
Safety is a primary area of concern: while IATA note that the accident rate fell from 12.13 to 7.86 per million sectors between 2024 and 2025, this figure remains significantly higher than the global average of 1.32 and makes Africa the most dangerous region in the world to fly.
IATA encourages African nation states to accelerate implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices. Across 46 of the 48 Sub-Saharan states, effective deployment of these guidelines is at 60.34%, again below the global average of 69.46% and the global target of 75%. Moreover, from 2019-2023, across Africa only 19% of accident reports were published. Key findings from these reports could significantly enhance safety and boost trust in African aviation as a whole.
Reduce cost burdens
Alongside safety, IATA highlight that the cost burden of operating in Africa is about 15% higher than the rest of the world. Government taxes and infrastructural charges make air travel prohibitively expensive for both customers and businesses. IATA recommend a complete review of taxes and surcharges to reduce them by 25%.
Eliminate business bottlenecks
The ease of doing business in Africa is further frustrated by travel requirements, with many countries still insisting that air passengers receive visas before arrival. At the same time, financial roadblocks continue to inhibit growth and unlock investment. As of March 2026, US$774 million in global funding was blocked from African countries due to financial malpractice. Governments need to engage with the aviation industry and introduce new policies to unlock investment bottlenecks and build a more dynamic travel industry.
Invest in sustainability
IATA conclude by noting that Africa stands to be one of the big winners in sustainable aviation. Sub-Saharan African could produce as much as 106 million tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2050. Accelerating supply of alternative fuels has only become more urgent in the wake of the current fuel crisis. By becoming a leader in this industry, African countries could centre themselves in a new global industry and boost economic development.
Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, said:
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. The prosperity this generates will allow governments to push forward social and economic development more durably than any tax that might be collected from travellers.
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