- Africa’s air cargo market is outperforming global trends, with projected growth of 6 percent and demand rising 7 percent in March 2026. The Africa-Asia corridor is driving much of this momentum, while geopolitical disruption is redirecting freight away from Middle Eastern hubs towards West African gateways.
- Senegal is positioning Dakar’s Blaise Diagne International Airport as a West African airfreight hub, with first-quarter 2026 volumes up 21.4 percent year-on-year and plans for a new cargo terminal, warehouses and storage facilities capable of handling 80,000 tonnes annually by 2028. However, declining regional transit traffic shows the hub still has ground to cover.
- Mauritania is pursuing a more specialised hub strategy around Nouadhibou, leveraging its fisheries industry and redirected regional trade flows. A new cold-chain facility provides a foundation for seafood exports, but gaps in pharmaceutical and hazardous cargo infrastructure, alongside customs delays, remain obstacles to wider hub development.
While the global air cargo market is experiencing stagnation, Africa is posting an impressive performance, with projected growth of 6 percent, significantly exceeding global forecasts. This is more than a short-term rebound; it reflects a broader trend that is increasingly reshaping the global logistics landscape.
The figures are striking. Against a backdrop of sluggish global economic conditions, the African continent continues to demonstrate strong momentum in the airfreight sector. This growth is being driven by the convergence of several powerful market dynamics.
Senegal on the path to becoming a West African hub
Following a detailed analysis of Dakar’s Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD), logistics expert Hadime Thiam confirms that airfreight activity in Dakar did not decline in March 2026. On the contrary, volumes increased sharply.
“In the first quarter of 2026, AIBD recorded 11,700 tonnes of freight, representing a 21.4 percent year-on-year increase,” he states.
IATA data supports this trend across the continent, with African air cargo demand rising by 7 percent in March, although the pace moderated following increases of 18.2 percent in January and 21 percent in February.
Discussing trade corridors, Thiam explains: “The conflict in the Middle East has reshaped freight flows. The Africa-Asia corridor, the most dynamic, recorded a 22.6 percent increase in March. Conversely, routes linked to the Middle East have collapsed, with Middle East-Asia traffic down 58.6 percent. As for the Morocco-West Africa corridor, including Dakar, it remains structurally under pressure due to heavy reliance on passenger aircraft belly capacity and a declining supply of freighter services on the Casablanca-Dakar route.”
Thiam also notes that the Senegalese government is determined to position the country as the leading airfreight hub in West Africa, with concrete signs of progress visible through infrastructure development and policy initiatives.
New cargo terminal project
The government plans to build a new cargo terminal, warehouses, and storage facilities, with a target handling capacity of 80,000 tonnes annually. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with completion expected in 2028.
Reforms and political commitment
A strategic development plan for the air hub covering the 2021-2025 period has been approved, followed by the Programme for the Reconstruction of Senegal’s Airports (PRAS). In addition, cargo-focused workshops are being organised to develop a long-term strategic roadmap for the sector.
Nevertheless, growth ambitions still face challenges. In 2024, AIBD handled 39,922 tonnes of cargo. While the government described this performance as positive, officials also acknowledged that it remains below the country’s potential. Regional transit traffic continues to decline, indicating that the hub has not yet reached full operational maturity.
Mauritania capitalises on fisheries and regionalisation
A similar story is emerging in Mauritania. During an interview, airline operator Sidy Hamed confirmed that freight volumes did not decline in March 2026, citing two principal factors.
The first is the regionalisation effect. The conflict in the Middle East severely disrupted Gulf hubs, contributing to a 54.3 percent drop in traffic among airlines in the region. As freight flows were rerouted, West Africa, particularly through corridors passing via Morocco and Senegal, captured part of this redirected traffic.
The second factor is sustained demand across major trade corridors. The Africa-Asia corridor, currently the most dynamic segment of the global airfreight market, recorded exceptional growth. At the same time, the Europe-Asia corridor expanded by 14.2 percent year-on-year, maintaining positive momentum for traffic moving through connecting hubs.
Regarding investment, Hamed explains:
“As an airline operator, I can confirm that concrete investments are underway to make Nouadhibou a hub for the fisheries sector, even if there is still a long way to go.”
He points to the infrastructure already in place. A refrigerated terminal has been developed at Nouadhibou International Airport with support from the World Bank. The facility includes a 600 sq m warehouse, a 245 sq m cold storage room, a refrigerated shipping area, an analysis laboratory, handling equipment including a freight scanner and pallet jacks, and a racking system for 120 pallets, providing storage capacity for 85 pallets of fresh fish.
“The fisheries potential is immense. Nouadhibou is Mauritania’s leading fishing port, and the country is the world’s second-largest exporter of seafood products after Japan. Developing this air hub is therefore a strategic priority,” he adds.
Prospects and challenges for emerging hubs
In Nouadhibou, the airport still lacks dedicated facilities for pharmaceutical and hazardous cargo, while customs procedures can be slow. The runway was also closed in 2023 for repairs. However, the Nouadhibou Free Zone and a series of ongoing development projects demonstrate a clear commitment to establishing the city as a major logistics hub.
In Senegal, despite ambitious plans and significant infrastructure investment, the decline in regional transit traffic highlights the intense competition among West African gateways. Operational capabilities will need to continue expanding if the country is to achieve its hub ambitions.
The strong performance of African airfreight during 2025 and 2026 has created a significant opportunity for the continent. Whether that growth proves sustainable will depend on the ability of governments, airports, and operators to convert favourable market conditions into lasting structural advantages.
