By Jimoh Babatunde

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on African governments to urgently reposition aviation as a driver of tourism expansion and energy security, warning that high costs and limited fuel capacity are holding the continent back from unlocking its full economic potential.

Speaking at the Focus Africa Conference in Addis Ababa, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Alawadhi, stressed that aviation is more than transportation—it is a catalyst for jobs, trade, and especially tourism growth across the continent.

“Aviation is economic infrastructure for Africa,” Alawadhi said, noting that policies promoting affordability and connectivity would significantly boost tourist inflows and regional travel.

Tourism Held Back by High Costs and Visa Barriers

IATA identified high ticket prices—driven largely by taxes and charges—as a major barrier to tourism development.

According to the association, the cost of doing aviation business in Africa is about 15% higher than the global average, making intra-African travel less attractive to both tourists and business travelers.
The group also raised concerns over restrictive visa policies, revealing that nearly half of African countries still require visas for intra-African travel. This, it said, continues to suppress regional tourism, despite evidence that countries with relaxed visa regimes enjoy stronger visitor numbers and more resilient air routes.

Industry stakeholders argue that implementing the ECOWAS decision to cut aviation taxes by 25% could significantly lower fares, stimulate demand, and position Africa as a more competitive global tourism destination.

Jet Fuel Challenges Threaten Connectivity
Beyond tourism, IATA highlighted the growing importance of energy security, particularly the availability and affordability of aviation fuel.

Recent global supply disruptions have exposed Africa’s vulnerability, with many airlines facing high fuel costs and supply chain disruptions.

The association pointed to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as a major opportunity for the continent. Africa, it said, has the capacity to produce up to 106 million tonnes of SAF feedstock annually by 2050 using agricultural waste, forestry residues, and municipal solid waste.

If harnessed effectively, SAF production could reduce airlines’ dependence on imported jet fuel, lower operating costs over time, and create thousands of jobs—while also supporting global climate commitments.

Nigeria and Others Begin Steps on Climate Financing

IATA also noted that countries such as Nigeria, Rwanda, and Tanzania have begun participating in global carbon markets under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). This could unlock new revenue streams while supporting sustainable aviation growth.

However, the association warned that progress remains uneven and urged more African governments to align with global sustainability frameworks to maximize economic and environmental benefits.

Aviation Seen as Key to Unlocking Africa’s Potential

With tourism identified as one of Africa’s fastest-growing sectors, IATA insists that reforming aviation—through lower costs, more efficient fuel strategies, and easier travel policies—will be critical to unlocking the continent’s broader economic potential.

Failure to act, it warned, could see Africa continue to lag behind other regions in both tourism competitiveness and energy resilience.