Kamil Alawadhi, Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East at IATA, 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 travelers.”
Speaking at the Focus Africa Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, IATA outlined a comprehensive aviation strategy built around four key pillars: safety, cost competitiveness, ease of doing business, and sustainability.
On safety, Africa has recorded progress, with the accident rate declining from 12.13 to 7.86 per million sectors between 2024 and 2025. However, this remains above the global average of 1.32 and the highest among all regions. IATA called for increased implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, improved publication of accident reports, and wider adoption of global safety audits to strengthen regulatory oversight and operational performance.
Cost competitiveness remains a significant challenge, with aviation-related taxes and charges in Africa approximately 15% higher than the global average. IATA highlighted the need to reverse increasing API-PNR charges, implement the ECOWAS decision to reduce aviation taxes and charges, and maintain residence-based corporate taxation for airlines to avoid double taxation and support cross-border operations.
Ease of doing business was identified as another critical area, particularly regarding the repatriation of airline revenues and visa policies. As of the end of March 2026, African countries accounted for USD 774 million in blocked airline funds globally. Algeria holds the largest share at USD 258 million, followed by the XAF Zone, Mozambique, Eritrea, and Angola.
“Given the scale of funds blocked in Algeria, urgent and decisive government action in Algeria is essential. But our efforts to engage with the Ministry of Trade and Export Promotion and the Central Bank have been met with little responsiveness and airlines continue to face delays despite complying with burdensome requirements. In Algeria, and all locations where airlines are denied access to their revenues, governments must engage with the industry to find a sustainable solution or risk the consequences on connectivity,” said Kamil Alawadhi.
IATA also noted that nearly half of intra-African travel still requires visas prior to departure, limiting regional mobility and tourism growth. Markets that have eased visa requirements have experienced stronger demand and increased use of regional air services.
On sustainability and energy security, IATA highlighted opportunities linked to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production. Sub-Saharan Africa has the potential to supply up to 106 million tonnes of SAF feedstock by 2050, primarily from agricultural residues, forestry waste, and municipal solid waste. The association also pointed to the potential for African countries to supply 57.6 million Eligible Emission Units under CORSIA, although only a limited number of countries have taken initial steps to participate.
IATA emphasised that aligning sustainability strategies with global frameworks, alongside targeted investment in infrastructure and policy support, could enhance energy security, generate employment and strengthen the region’s role in the global aviation value chain.
Tags: Africa Kamil Alawadhi IATA
