IATA: Political Barriers, Not Market Demand, Are Africa’s Biggest Aviation Challenge
The biggest barrier to Africa’s aviation growth is political rather than technical or market-driven, according to Kamil Al-Awadhi, regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), who is calling for urgent reforms to unlock the continent’s full air transport potential.
Africa’s aviation industry continues to record strong passenger growth above the global average, yet it remains the world’s least profitable region – a paradox Kamil Al-Awadhi attributes largely to governance failures, protectionism, and slow policy implementation across the continent.
Speaking in an interview with Ecofin Agency, Al-Awadhi said the challenges facing African aviation are not primarily about demand or capacity but about political decision-making that often fails to reflect how the airline industry actually operates.
He argued that many policymakers lack a full understanding of airline economics, resulting in decisions that unintentionally weaken profitability and limit sector growth.
According to him, the persistence of protectionist policies — particularly the reluctance to open up national airspaces — continues to undermine regional integration efforts such as the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
Al-Awadhi, who serves as Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said the initiative has been slowed mainly by political hesitation among member states, despite broad agreement on paper.
“You have 54 countries, each with its own interests, and not all are willing to cooperate,” he noted, pointing to reluctance to fully liberalise air services or implement agreed reforms.
He also criticised the lack of accountability in tracking countries that delay implementation, arguing that progress has been hampered by weak enforcement and limited transparency from regional bodies overseeing the process.
Turning to regional reforms, Al-Awadhi welcomed the move by ECOWAS to reduce aviation taxes and charges by up to 25%, describing it as one of the most significant policy steps taken in recent years to improve affordability and stimulate demand.
However, he expressed concern that implementation remains slow, with only a single member state having fully applied the measure so far. He stressed that unless all countries act, passengers will not feel the intended benefits in lower fares or increased connectivity.
He also cautioned against the introduction of additional fees that could offset any gains from tax reductions, warning that such policies risk weakening the competitiveness of regional air travel.
On sustainability, Al-Awadhi highlighted Africa’s untapped potential in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), arguing that the continent could become a major global producer due to its agricultural base and lower production costs.
He said SAF investment should be viewed not only as an environmental necessity but also as a strategic economic opportunity that could strengthen energy security and reduce dependence on volatile global fuel markets.
However, he noted that awareness among policymakers remains limited, slowing down investment decisions despite Africa’s strong comparative advantages.
Al-Awadhi concluded that the most impactful reform African governments could implement immediately is visa liberalisation. He said easing travel restrictions across the continent would rapidly boost intra-African mobility, trade, and tourism, potentially increasing passenger traffic by up to 8%.
For him, the message is clear: Africa’s aviation sector does not suffer from lack of demand or potential but from political choices that continue to hold back integration, competitiveness, and long-term growth.
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