African airways recorded the strongest progress in world air cargo demand in December 2025, with year-on-year demand growing by 10.1%, the very best of all areas.
That is in accordance with information launched by the Worldwide Air Transport Affiliation (IATA) in its full-year 2025 and December 2025 world air cargo market efficiency report.
The surge highlights the continent’s rising function in world commerce and the growing reliance on African carriers to assist time-sensitive shipments.
What the report is saying
For the total yr 2025, African airways noticed cargo demand develop 6.0% in comparison with 2024, whereas capability expanded 7.8%.
December’s robust efficiency marked the height for the area, with capability growing 9.8%, enabling carriers to satisfy rising seasonal demand and strengthen intra-African and worldwide commerce flows.
“African airways noticed 6.0% year-on-year demand progress for air cargo in 2025. Capability elevated by 7.8% year-on-year. December year-on-year demand elevated by 10.1%, the very best of all areas, and capability elevated 9.8%,” the report learn partly.
Globally, full-year cargo demand rose 3.4%, with worldwide operations up 4.2%, and capability grew 3.7% (5.1% for worldwide flights).
December 2025 mirrored continued momentum, with total world demand 4.3% greater than December 2024 and worldwide operations up 5.5%.
Yields declined 1.5% for the yr, the smallest drop in three years, whereas remaining 37.2% above 2019 ranges.
Regional performances past Africa
Asia-Pacific airways led world progress for the total yr, with cargo demand up 8.4% and capability rising 7.4%. December demand elevated 9.4% year-on-year.
- European carriers recorded 2.9% full-year demand progress, with capability up 3.1%, whereas December demand rose 4.9%.
- Center Jap airways noticed reasonable full-year progress of 0.3%, with capability increasing 4.5% and December demand up 4.2%.
- North American carriers confronted the weakest efficiency, with full-year demand declining 1.3% and capability down 1.1%, whereas December demand fell 2.2%.
- Latin American and Caribbean airways posted 2.3% year-on-year demand progress for 2025, however December demand declined 4.1%, regardless of capability rising 4.5%.
The report additionally highlights shifts in world commerce lanes, with cargo flows shifting from Asia–North America towards Asia–Europe, pushed by tariffs and the elimination of US de minimis exemptions.
Sturdy progress was additionally recorded inside Asia and alongside the Center East–Asia hall, reflecting evolving provide chain patterns.
Flashback
African airways led world air cargo progress in November 2025, with year-on-year demand rising 15.6%—the very best of all areas.
- Obtainable cargo capability additionally expanded sharply, up 18.1%, in accordance with the Worldwide Air Transport Affiliation (IATA).
- This momentum carried into December, when African carriers recorded a ten.1% year-on-year enhance in demand, once more the very best of all areas, reflecting sustained seasonal progress and the continent’s rising function in world commerce. Globally, whole air cargo demand grew 5.5% in November and 4.2% in December.
Different areas posted blended outcomes throughout each months: Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Center East noticed reasonable to robust progress, whereas North America and Latin America & the Caribbean skilled declines, highlighting Africa’s standout efficiency within the last months of 2025.
What you need to know
Nigeria’s air cargo sector stays lively. ,
The most recent improvement is FAAN’s enhance of cargo port costs from N7 to N20 in January 2026, a transfer aimed toward addressing inflation, overseas alternate pressures, and funding vital airport infrastructure.
In an unique BusinessTimes interview, Faisal Jarmakani, Managing Director of Aramex Nigeria, mentioned the market is valued at over $8 billion, with Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano dealing with the biggest volumes.
- He famous that e-commerce and SME commerce are the first drivers of demand, significantly for time-sensitive shipments.
- Jarmakani highlighted ongoing challenges, together with airport processing bottlenecks, excessive dealing with prices, and last-mile supply inefficiencies, however added that enhancements in digitization, inter-agency coordination, and investments in warehousing and fulfilment centres are serving to to extend effectivity.
With these operational upgrades and infrastructure investments, Nigeria is continuous to strengthen its air cargo capabilities, supporting each home distribution and regional commerce, and constructing resilience for future progress.
