Translation: L'Iata Décrit Les Priorités Pour Renforcer La Contribont De L'AviationAra Crossances de Afrique (PDF)
Nairobi – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged African governments to prioritize aviation as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, connectivity and social development by increasing safety, reducing cost burdens and solving blocked aviation funding issues.
“The African aviation sector is a key economic driver that contributes US$75 billion to GDP and supports 8.1 million jobs. The continental aviation market will grow at 4.1% over the next 20 years and is projected to double by 2044. Somas Appavou, Regional Director, Foreign Affairs Director, IATA, Africa's IATA, said:
Important African priorities
The IATA outlined three important priorities for the African government.
1. Improves aviation safety
Implementing global standards is the key to world-class security. Although safety in Africa has improved, the continental safety rate slows the global average in implementing ICAO standards and recommended practices (SARP). On average, the effective implementation rate of ICAO SARP was 59.49% in 46 sub-Saharan African states, lagging behind the global target of a global average of 69.16% and 75%. The state must take action to fill this long-standing gap.
In 2024, runway excursions were the most common of 10 reported accidents in Africa. IATA calls for new efforts in ICAO's runway safety team missions at airports to improve performance in this area, including ensuring effective implementation of ICAO SARP.
The IATA also requires African countries to comply with ICAO Appendix 13 Global Standards to provide timely accident reports. Of the 42 accidents that occurred in Africa between 2018 and 2023, only eight have seen their final reports being released. The IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and the IATA Standard Safety Assessment (ISSA) are tools to enhance airline safety performance, support effective regulatory oversight, and promote a consistent, risk-based approach to operational safety.
2. Reduce taxes and fees
Air travel taxes and fees in Africa are 15% higher than the global average.
It is important for governments to understand that the greatest value aviation brings to the economy is catalyst. Transporting travelers and goods stimulates job creation. Destroying demand with excessive taxation puts a brake on economic and social development.
Industry and government coordination is essential when fees are used to fund critical aviation infrastructure. The goal is to build a cost-effective and scalable growth support infrastructure.
3. Eliminate blocked funds
An airline cannot operate in the market if it is unable to repatriate the proceeds guaranteed by international treaties and bilateral agreements. Revenues of $1 billion airlines blocked from repatriation by the African government (as of May 2025) – 73% of globally blocked funds are obstacles to maintaining international connectivity in Africa. Blocked funds spread across 26 African countries.
Airlines facing blocked funds often reduce flight frequency or pause routes. To promote the economic and social benefits of aviation, governments must withstand international obligations and remove all barriers to airline revenue repatriation.
“These challenges are not new, but solving them is urgent. That's why IATA will launch the Focus Africa Initiative in 2023 and work with governments, industry and development partners to achieve real improvements in safety, affordability and connectivity. Aviation is not a luxury.
Corsia
The International Airlines (Corsia) carbon offset and reduction scheme is a pillar of the industry's net zero commitment, in the middle of the first voluntary phase of reporting (2024–2026). The forced report will begin in 2027. As of 2025, 129 countries have joined Corsia, including 20 African states.
The IATA urges African governments to ensure the success of Corsia as the only globally agreed market-based mechanism to address CO2 emissions from international aviation, submit a patchwork of national or regional taxes that lead to fragmented, inefficient and inconsistent global policy frameworks, and ultimately avoid undermining the scheme.
Making Corsia available to eligible emissions units (EEUs) for airline offset obligations should be a priority for African countries, not only fulfilling their international obligations under Corsia, but also benefiting directly from attracting climate investment while generating revenue from the carbon market and supporting development and work.
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Notes for editors:
IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents approximately 350 airlines, accounting for more than 80% of the world's air traffic. You can follow X for announcements, policy positions and other useful industry information. Fly Net Zero
