African airlines led global air cargo growth in March 2026, posting a 7.0% year-on-year increase in demand even as worldwide cargo demand fell by 4.8%.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Air Cargo Market Analysis Monthly Report for March 2026, Africa emerged as the fastest-growing air freight region during a period marked by widespread operational and geopolitical disruptions.
The performance highlights the continent’s strengthening role in global logistics, particularly through expanding trade routes with Asia.
African airlines recorded the strongest cargo demand growth globally in March, despite a 4.6% decline in cargo capacity. This indicates that African carriers were able to maximize tighter freight space while maintaining strong route performance and improving trade efficiency.
Asia Pacific dominated the market with 36.0% share, followed by North America at 24.5% and Europe at 21.3%. The Middle East accounted for 13.2%, while Latin America and the Caribbean held 2.9%.
Africa, at 2.1%, remained the least dominant region by volume, even though it posted the strongest growth rate globally.
Globally, the air cargo market faced broader challenges, with total demand declining by 4.8%, international cargo demand down 5.5%, and total capacity contracting by 4.7%.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh attributed the global slowdown primarily to war-related disruptions affecting major Gulf cargo hubs, compounded by the usual post-Lunar New Year slowdown. However, he emphasized that underlying market conditions remained relatively strong.
These factors suggest that while external shocks pressured the market, broader economic indicators still support future cargo demand recovery.
Africa’s growth stood in sharp contrast to other global regions, many of which posted weaker or negative results.
The sharp downturn in the Middle East was driven largely by ongoing geopolitical instability, further elevating Africa’s position as a resilient global cargo hub.
African airlines have consistently outperformed other regions in global cargo growth over recent months, reflecting sustained momentum across the sector.
Earlier, in November 2025, cargo volumes expanded by 15.6%, while capacity grew even faster at 18.1%, underscoring efforts by airlines to scale up operations in response to rising demand.
