Outdated borders, grounded dreams: Africa risks losing $80B despite aviation growth

Despite Africa’s burgeoning tech sector and ambitious continental trade plans,outdated border systems and restrictive visa policies are poised to cost the continent an estimated $80 billion in lost economic potential over the next decade.

According to a recent report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA),Africa’s aviation growth is being stunted by paper-based travel protocols,inconsistent visa regimes,and fragmented airspace. Only 3% of global air traffic passes through Africa,despite its population of over 1.4 billion. In contrast,individual European and Asian airlines often surpass the entire continent’s passenger figures. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) promise integration,but implementation remains sluggish. Countries like Rwanda and Ghana have embraced digital border systems and e-visas,while others,including Nigeria,are only just rolling out automated systems at select entry points.

Visa barriers remain a major roadblock: 47% of intra-African travel still requires pre-arranged visas,undermining the goal of free movement. Only Benin,Gambia,Rwanda,and Seychelles currently offer visa-free access to all African citizens. Experts warn that without urgent investment in digital identity infrastructure,interoperable systems,and better airline collaboration,Africa’s aviation sector will remain fragmented and uncompetitive. As Tobi Adesanya,an air travel consultant,notes,“If we can trade across borders with a QR code,we should be able to fly across them just as easily.”