The International Air Transport Association is speaking up about the limitations preventing Africa from becoming an global aviation powerhouse. The global trade body told the BBC a unified country could generate more jobs and a larger Gross Domestic Product. They believe that it could generate over 155,000 jobs and boost the Gross Domestic Product by more than $1 billion.
“Aviation contributes directly to the GDP in every country,” IATA’s regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East Kamil al-Awadhi said to the BBC. “It generates work, and it activates the economy.”
Overcoming The Obstacles
There are many factors standing between the continent and its long term potential in the travel industry. Currently, it’s more expensive to travel to another continent than to travel between countries in Africa. IATA attributes this to a disconnect between African nations that prevents them from conquering the aviation sector.
“There needs to be a coherent strategy by Africa to address the issue of its poor air service if they want to transform Africa’s economies,” global chairman of US-based investment firm Fairfax Africa Fund Zemedeneh Negatu told the BBC.
Africa’s placement in the global aviation realm is not a new conversation. In April, IATA released a press release announcing “Focus Africa.” That is a program “strengthen[s] aviation’s contribution to Africa’s economic and social development.” The creators made it a safety driven initiative. It aims to build fresh infrastructure and a reliable standard for passengers. IATA said Africa has the greatest potential for aviation.
“Africa stands out as the region with the greatest potential and opportunity for aviation. The Focus Africa initiative renews IATA’s commitment to supporting aviation on the continent. As the incoming Chair of the IATA Board of Governors, and the first from Africa since 1993, I look forward to ensuring that this initiative gets off to a great start and delivers benefits that are measurable,” Yvonne Makolo said in the press release, IATA’s first female Chair of their Board of Governors.
Unity is Essential
Without a united effort from 12 African countries, the possibility of becoming an aviation force seems like a distant dream.
“Every government in Africa wants to see their flag on the tail of an aircraft at Heathrow or JFK airport, but African governments need to realize that stand alone carriers are not viable,” Zemedeneh said.
The Focus Africa campaign has partnerships between resource providers throughout the continent’s diverse nations. Many hope the long term result will be an aviation force, similar to Ethiopian Airlines in Addis Ababa.
“Ethiopian Airlines generates millions of dollars in hard currency for the country, and it makes every Ethiopian proud that they have been able to create one of the most successful indigenous African-owned, African-operated, multinational companies,” Zemedeneh said.
