African aviation sector shows divergent trends in cargo and passenger markets

Africa’s air cargo market is outperforming global trends, with projected growth of 6 percent and demand expected to rise by 7 percent by March 2026. This momentum is largely driven by the Africa-Asia corridor and geopolitical disruptions that are redirecting freight from Middle Eastern hubs toward West African gateways.

Senegal is positioning Blaise Diagne International Airport as a major West African hub. In the first quarter of 2026, the airport recorded 11,700 tonnes of freight, a 21.4 percent year-on-year increase. Plans are underway for a new cargo terminal and storage facilities capable of handling 80,000 tonnes annually by 2028. Meanwhile, Mauritania is developing a specialized hub in Nouadhibou to support its fisheries industry through new cold-chain facilities.

Despite cargo growth, intra-African passenger travel faces significant economic hurdles. High taxes, airport levies, and regulatory fees are driving regional airfares above long-haul rates to Europe. In many African nations, taxes and charges account for 35 to 70 percent of a ticket's cost. In Nigeria, passengers may pay between $180 and $297 in taxes and regulatory fees per ticket, which is roughly double the global average. These costs threaten to impede regional tourism and trade, even as travelers pivot toward regional destinations due to tightened visa conditions in the US and Europe.