In April this year, Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) was privileged to participate in the inaugural International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Global Air Cargo Summit in Antalya, Türkiye. The summit arrived at a pivotal moment for the aviation and logistics sector, coinciding with the announcement of an expansive new tariff regime by US President Donald Trump.
The measures — including sweeping import duties and the effective dismantling of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) — have catalysed urgent discussions about global trade realignment, particularly for African economies.
The ICAO summit presented a timely platform for industry leaders to explore the future of air cargo, from AI-powered handling systems and automation to digitised trade facilitation. As we have learnt from the Covid-19 pandemic, an overdependence on passenger traffic is a risk. Cargo is no longer a supporting act — it is central to the sustainability and profitability of modern airport operations.
At Acsa, we recognise this shift and are positioning our airports, particularly OR Tambo International Airport, as critical trade and logistics gateways for Africa.
As the global trade landscape evolves under new tariff measures, the medium- to long-term implications for US-Africa trade relations remain a key consideration. African exporters — some of whom previously benefited from duty-free access to the US market under Agoa — now face adjustments in competitiveness and market access.
In response, governments, regional institutions, business and thought leaders, including African Development Bank Group president Akinwumi Adesina, have emphasised the importance of strengthening intra-African trade integration through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
As African exporters pivot to regional and global alternatives — particularly Europe, Asia, and intra-African markets — air cargo connectivity will become an even more critical enabler of trade competitiveness.
The current geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East are influencing global trade patterns, with notable implications for both maritime and air cargo sectors. Recent developments in regional security have led some shipping operators to adjust routes away from traditional maritime corridors, resulting in extended transit times and increased operational costs. While these adjustments reflect prudent risk management, they have contributed to broader supply chain considerations, particularly for time-sensitive shipments.
With the South African market under pressure, our strategy increasingly looks beyond national borders for growth opportunities
In this context, air freight has experienced growing demand as businesses seek to maintain supply chain continuity, with certain transportation hubs (including South Africa, and in particular Acsa airports) experiencing heightened activity to accommodate shifting logistical needs. These developments highlight the interconnected nature of global trade systems and the importance of adaptable supply chain strategies.
Acsa operates a national network of airports, including the continent’s busiest, OR Tambo. As part of our corporate strategy to “Innovate, Grow and Sustain”, Acsa is investing heavily in transforming OR Tambo into Africa’s leading air cargo hub.
In 2024 we received regulatory approval for a R5bn midfield cargo terminal expansion, which will increase handling capacity from the current 450,000t to 2.2Mt by 2033. These investments are part of a broader strategy to ensure South Africa is well positioned to lead in intra-African and global cargo logistics, especially as the AfCFTA market — valued at $3.4-trillion (about R61-trillion) — begins to reshape trade flows across the continent. We are also seeing demand grow for faster, more efficient cargo routes connecting African producers to buyers in Europe and Asia.
However, infrastructure alone is not enough. For Acsa to realise this vision, we need a co-ordinated, continental approach. Other African airport operators must modernise customs procedures, integrate digital clearance systems, expand cold-chain logistics, and enable e-commerce-friendly freight infrastructure. These elements are critical if we are to remove long-standing barriers to air trade.
In 2024 Acsa hosted the 33rd ACI Africa Annual General Assembly and Regional Conference under the theme “Flying Together: Airport Alliances and Partnerships”, which emphasised precisely this collaborative spirit. Strengthened by regional government support and private sector investment in multimodal corridors (such as rail and road access to key airports), we can unlock the full potential of air cargo across the continent.
Airlines, too, have a role to play by developing passenger-cargo hybrid routes and dedicated air freight connections that link Africa’s manufacturing and agricultural centres to global markets. With strategic location and robust infrastructure, South African airports could serve as pivotal transit hubs for trade between Asia, Europe and Africa.
The global realignment of trade is not happening in isolation. Domestically, South Africa’s sluggish economic recovery continues to affect passenger traffic growth, which, despite recent strides, has yet to return to pre-Covid levels. This reality is influencing how we approach traffic development: with the South African market under pressure, our strategy increasingly looks beyond national borders for growth opportunities.
Recent trade patterns have shown an evolving landscape in Africa's international economic relationships, with China and India gradually increasing their share of trade with the continent. These shifts reflect broader global economic trends and Africa's growing diversification of trading partners. While US-Africa trade continues to represent an important economic relationship, recent policy changes have coincided with these ongoing transformations in global trade dynamics. For Acsa, this means aligning our infrastructure, partnerships and route development plans with continental priorities and diversified global markets.
As African trade reorients towards new regions and strengthens its intra-continental foundation, Acsa is committed to playing a central role in enabling this transition. Our airports must be ready to handle greater volumes of cargo, support faster customs turnaround times, and offer seamless connectivity across the continent and beyond.
With an investment pipeline exceeding R21.7bn in airport infrastructure upgrades, Acsa is laying the foundation for a more resilient and competitive African air cargo ecosystem. The future of trade lies in our ability to adapt, collaborate and invest boldly — and at Acsa we’re already building that future.
• Rambau is Acsa's group manager: traffic development
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