Strong on resources
Africa is rich in natural resources and has a great potential for innovation. But the continent’s aviation industry needs solid foundations to finally take off. The rapid development of its infrastructure and an equally speedy improvement of interconnectivity between the centres of trade and industry are amongst the most important demands that logistics managers voice for the industry in Africa.
Africa’s overall population of more than 1.2 billion people makes it the second-most populous continent, after Asia. But in contrast to the airlines domiciled in the Asia-Pacific region, which account for 36% of the world’s airfreight performance, their African counterparts can only offer a world market share of 1.7%. This leaves them lagging far behind the other Iata regions.
International national carriers
Not many African countries have a flag carrier in the strict meaning of the word. National airlines’ places have sometimes been taken by large foreign players, including Turkish Airlines or Emirates. The latter’s former airfreight supremo, the legendary Ram Menen, already spoke about the continent’s dormant air cargo potential many years ago (see page 11 of ITJ 13-14 / 2011).
The Ghanaian capital Accra, to cite one good example, has already been a part of Dubai-based Emirates’ network for around 15 years now. In this time, Emirates SkyCargo has carried about 73,000 t of airfreight to and from Ghana, and has exported approximately 41,000 t from the West African country – mainly fruit, as well as valuable metals.
Amongst the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa, Ghana was ranked fourth in the Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index 2018, in terms of its estimated logistics potential – as was the case in 2017. 9% of those surveyed cited the country.
The top three – South Africa (24%), Nigeria (17%), Kenya (16%) – also remained unchanged. Ethiopia (7%) rose two places and overtook Tanzania (7%) and Ivory Coast (6%). Mozambique (5%), Angola (4%) and Congo Kinshasa (2%) completed the external expectations’ top ten.
Logistics reality on the ground
The effective logistics conditions saw Egypt make a leap forward vis-à-vis 2017; at 14th worldwide (+6) it topped the African section. Morocco came 21st (+1), followed from the continent by South Africa (24th, –3), Algeria (30th, +1) and Nigeria (31st, –7).
US and EU airfreight destined for Africa lands mainly in South Africa. Volumes flown to the EU from East Africa – mainly cut flowers and fruit, but also clothes from Kenya as well as Ethiopia – are even greater than this.
Seeking new air cargo routes
The great potential of the young African population, with its increasing affinity for new technologies, is one of the driving forces for the continent’s socio-economic development. In January Airbus and Germany’s development agency GIZ presented ten new African technology companies that will participate in #Africa4Future, Airbus’s so-called bizlab programme to promote innovation. The companies include the drone pioneer Astral Aerial Solutions, from Kenya, Maisha ICT Tech, from Ethiopia, as well as the firm Côte d’Ivoire Drone.
