New horizons in African Aviation: Insights from Magma

The African air cargo industry is steadily expanding its capability by gathering more investments to improve its effectiveness. This sector has undergone significant changes since Magma Aviation, the innovative air cargo solutions company, started operating on this continent over a decade ago. This year, as the company’s 15th anniversary approaches, the CEO of Magma Aviation, Peter Kerins, shares his insights about the ever-changing Air Cargo Industry in Africa.

Changes in African Cargo Demand

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) data for January 2025 global air cargo markets shows the total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), rose by 3.2% compared to January 2024 levels (3.6% for international operations) for an 18th consecutive month of growth.

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Last year airlines in Africa saw an 8.5% rise in air cargo demand. This year projected growth is slow, but promising, especially considering the changes and improvements in the infrastructure, expansion, technology integration, and process optimization.

Africa’s unique geographic position between Asia, Europe, and the Americas remains a valuable advantage, for this reason, multiple airports across the continent are developing centralized networks. According to Peter Kerins, Nairobi is the busiest cargo airport in the continent, followed by Cairo and Johannesburg. Other important hubs are Addis Ababa, Casablanca, and Lagos.

One reason for the rising demand for air cargo in the continent is the rapidly expanding middle class. There is an increased need for cargo services for delivering international and higher-value goods, particularly in urban centers. Another is the rapid expansion of e-commerce. This market is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.46% from 2025 to 2029, reaching an estimated value of $56.03 billion by 2029. International e-commerce has created new demand for quick air freight services, as internet access