High fares, weak connectivity and restrictive aviation rules continue to limit the continent’s air transport market…..
Africa accounts for only two per cent of global air traffic despite being home to about 18 per cent of the world’s population, according to a report by the Atlantic Council.
The report, Opening Africa’s Skies to Trade, Growth, and Jobs, describes Africa as the world’s most expensive, least connected and most underserved aviation market.
It attributes the gap largely to the high cost and inconvenience of flying within Africa, rather than insufficient demand for air travel.
The report said limited connections and expensive fares continue to prevent the continent from realising the full economic potential of its aviation industry.
“Africa is home to 18 percent of the world’s population, but only 2 percent of its air transport activity,” the report stated.
“Cost relative to income and inconvenience are the main drivers of this disparity, rather than demand,” it added.
In some cases, travelling between African countries can cost more and take longer than flying much greater distances outside the continent.
The report cited the example of a Nigerian travelling to Kinshasa, who could fly twice as far to London in half the time and at about half the cost.
It also noted that a Ghanaian travelling roughly 600 miles to São Tomé and Príncipe could pay at least $400 for a one-way journey through Lisbon.
Intra-African travel accounts for less than 20 per cent of the continent’s airline traffic, compared with approximately 60 per cent of air traffic within Europe.
The report also highlighted the significant movement of people within the continent. As of 2020, about 21 million Africans were living in another African country, while roughly 80 per cent of African migrants remained within Africa.
The report identified restrictive air service agreements as another major obstacle to the development of the continent’s aviation market.
More than 70 per cent of Africa’s air service agreements impose restrictions on issues such as flight frequencies, aircraft types and routes. Some also prevent airlines from carrying passengers onward to third countries.
According to the report, such restrictions are roughly twice as prevalent as those in Asia and have contributed to a fragmented aviation market.
Low-cost airlines account for just five per cent of seat capacity in Africa, compared with more than one-third of flights in Europe.
The Atlantic Council estimates that aviation reforms in 12 African countries could cut airfares by between 25 and 35 per cent, attract about five million additional passengers and generate an estimated $1.3 billion in extra tourism spending.
It recommended accelerated implementation of the African Union’s Single African Air Transport Market, the removal of capacity restrictions and greater competition among airlines.
The report said improved air connectivity could also strengthen intra-African trade by making it easier to move people and high-value, time-sensitive goods across borders.
It noted that aviation currently contributes about $75 billion to Africa’s gross domestic product and supports an estimated 8.1 million jobs.
For every job created directly by aviation, another 22 jobs are supported elsewhere in the economy, while every dollar generated by the sector is estimated to produce an additional $5.30 in economic activity.
The report therefore argued that removing barriers to air travel within Africa could produce benefits extending beyond airlines and airports, particularly in trade, tourism and investment.
The findings come as African governments pursue major investments to address infrastructure and connectivity challenges.
In October 2025, the African Union unveiled a $30 billion plan to modernise airports and airspace systems across the continent over the next decade.
The plan includes $10 billion for airport upgrades, $8 billion for communications, navigation and meteorological systems, and another $12 billion for institutional reforms and efforts to attract private investment.
A joint study by the AU, African Civil Aviation Commission, International Civil Aviation Organization and World Bank estimates that Africa will require between $25 billion and $30 billion over the next decade to meet growing aviation demand.
Passenger traffic is projected to rise from about 160 million in 2024 to nearly 500 million by 2050.
The AU plans to mobilise $10 billion in public funding and attract a further $20 billion from private and institutional investors.
The modernisation programme also includes digital and environmentally sustainable technologies, including Airport Collaborative Decision-Making, System-Wide Information Management and renewable energy solutions.
The African Development Bank appointed Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in May 2026 to lead its $7 billion Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme for Africa.
The programme is focused on modernising the continent’s aviation industry, strengthening implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market and improving aviation safety oversight and skills development.
SAATM, an African Union initiative under Agenda 2063, is designed to liberalise air transport and improve connectivity between African countries.
Nigeria is among the countries that have signed onto the initiative, with the Federal Government supporting its implementation.
The renewed focus on infrastructure, competition and market liberalisation comes as Africa continues to account for only a fraction of global air transport activity despite its large and growing population.
