Ali Tunsi, ACI Africa Executive Director, said although Africa's air traffic is increasing, opportunities for growth continue to be limited by infrastructure challenges.
Speaking at an African Aviation Association webinar, Tunsi stressed that the success of the sector depends on increased government involvement, regional cooperation and strategic investment in airport infrastructure.
Tunsi noted that Africa's air traffic is steadily recovering from the pandemic, with passenger numbers expected to reach 240 million in 2024, an 11% year-on-year increase. This is driven by a recovery in tourism in key markets such as Egypt, Morocco, Kenya and South Africa, the expansion of airlines such as Flysafair and Airlink, and increased trade facilitated by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It is being promoted.
But he said the recovery has been uneven across regions. “Central Africa, for example, is lagging behind due to limited infrastructure and high operating costs, while political instability continues to affect parts of North Africa,” Tunsi added.
He explained that many airports in Africa are no longer financially viable due to low traffic volumes, and said governments need to create opportunities by encouraging investment. “It is up to the government to create destination attraction, build tourism infrastructure and encourage investment so that we can generate traffic,” Thunsi said.
He highlighted the potential of public-private partnerships to bring not only funds but also expertise and operational efficiencies to the airport sector. These partnerships are especially important for smaller airports, which often struggle to attract private investment due to limited traffic volumes and financial inefficiencies.
Despite these challenges, Tounsi said there are significant opportunities for growth in Africa's aviation industry. While hubs in Ethiopia, Kenya and Morocco are driving regional and international connectivity, the region's still-developing LCCs have the potential to significantly increase domestic and regional traffic.
