Air cargo demand by African airlines increased by 1.1 per cent in July 2026 compared to the same period of the previous year, according to data published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This growth remains the lowest among the major regions of the world market, while the capacity of African carriers increased by 4.1 per cent.

African airlines registered limited growth in cargo activity in July. Demand, measured in tonnes-kilometres of freight (TKT), increased by 1.1%, while capacity increased to 4.1%.

With a share of 2.1 per cent of the global air cargo market in 2025, Africa remains a minority player in a sector dominated by Asia-Pacific, North America and Europe.

This is taking place in a context of global market growth. Global air cargo demand increased by 3.9% in July 2026, while capacity increased by 1.7%.

Transporters from Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America concentrated more than 90% of the overall increase in demand. In Africa, the difference between the increase in capacity and the increase in transported volumes reflects a more moderate increase in the activity of companies in the region.

Trade corridors have also undergone contrasting developments. Asia-North America routes recorded the largest increase, with a 9.2% increase in demand.

Conversely, the Africa-Asia link fell by 14.7% in July, recording its second consecutive month of contraction. This decline comes as geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt several trade routes linking Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

At the global level, air freight growth was supported by a 7.5 per cent increase in international trade and a continued trade-friendly manufacturing activity. However, IATA noted a sharp increase in fuel costs, with kerosene prices rising 56.9 per cent compared to July 2025.

For African carriers, these developments add to the constraints of capacity, logistics costs and volatility of international corridors.