Nairobi’s Africa Air Cargo Summit to attract over 2,000 industry leaders

The event co-hosted by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) at the Sarit Expo Centre, will provide a premier platform for networking, business opportunities, and discussions on the future of air cargo and logistics in Africa.

The event comes at a crucial time when Africa’s air cargo industry experiencing significant expansion, largely driven by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). AfCFTA has incread transport demand by 50% and boosting intra-African trade by 25%, presenting immense opportunities for logistics and freight stakeholders.

The continent’s air cargo market recorded a 6% year-on-year growth in 2024, with fresh produce, pharmaceuticals, and high-value goods making up 80% of exports. Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), a major logistics hub, handled 112,000 tons of cargo in the first quarter of 2024, underscoring Kenya’s role as a gateway for trade in the region.

The conference will feature key industry players such as Kenya Airways Cargo, Astral Aviation, Ethiopian Airlines, and South African Airways, alongside global freight leaders like Emirates SkyCargo, Lufthansa Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo, Etihad Cargo, and Turkish Airlines Cargo.

Government agencies, including the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Shippers Council of Eastern Africa (SCEA), will participate in discussions on trade policies and regulations affecting air cargo.

With over 60 expert speakers, the event will cover vital topics such as multi-modal logistics, sustainable freight solutions, and emerging technologies in the sector.

The Health and Humanitarian Logistics (HHL) Forum on February 21 will highlight air cargo’s role in delivering medical supplies and disaster relief. The highly anticipated Cargo Awards Night on February 20 will recognize excellence in air cargo, logistics, and supply chain management.

Nairobi’s strategic position and investments in infrastructure projects, such as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor, continue to strengthen its role as a leading logistics hub.

“Hosting Air Cargo Africa 2025 in Nairobi underscores the city’s importance as a logistics hub and provides an unparalleled platform to address Africa’s airfreight needs,” said Dick Murianki, Director of Cargo at Kenya Airways.