Africa’s air cargo sector is attracting attention by its ongoing economic development and – as a result – growth in exports and imports. In 2024, export tonnage increased by 7 percent, and imports rose by 10 percent year-over-year. Export yields faced a comparatively modest decline of 3 percent. Notably, special cargo dominates the region’s airfreight market, accounting for 82 percent of exports, while general cargo makes up only 18 percent in 2024. Specifically, transportation of perishable and temperature-sensitive goods plays vital role in African air freight requiring efficient and secure logistic operations.
Key risks for cargo operations in Africa include smuggling – particularly narcotics and wildlife trafficking, cargo theft, threats to crew safety, human trafficking, and overall compliance with international regulations. These challenges are primarily driven by inadequate infrastructure, limited adoption of advanced technology, and political instability in some regions. Addressing these issues is essential to safeguard air cargo operations and ensure they remain efficient and reliable across the continent.
Drug trafficking through Africa is on the rise, with the continent becoming a significant transit hub for cocaine from South America to Europe, Asia, and Australia, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The report specifically highlights that Brazilian criminal networks are focusing on Portuguese-speaking countries such as Mozambique, Angola, and Cabo Verde, while South Africa and West Africa also play key roles. Recent seizures underscore the scale of the problem: South African police intercepted over 80 kgs of cocaine in September – October 2024, Guinea reported 110 kgs seized so far this year, and 2.6 tonnes were confiscated in Guinea-Bissau with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) support.
Drug traffickers traditionally rely on sea routes to transport narcotics to Africa, where the shipments are then moved to Europe by land or air freight. However, as law enforcement becomes more experienced at identifying these routes, smugglers turn to unconventional methods, including private aircraft. Drugs are concealed in creative ways, such as being hidden within fruit, mixed with soya, disguised in flowers, or embedded into container structures. Large scale operations depend on a network of accomplices, often involving port and airport workers, drivers, logistics companies, and occasionally customs or airport officials.
While drugs do not pose a direct threat to aviation security or aircraft operations – and often regarded as a customs issue – the involvement of insiders in smuggling can cause serious reputational damage. Furthermore, studies by the UNODC, EU Drug Agency, and Flemish Peace Institute highlight a connection between drug and weapons trafficking. Terrorist and organized crime groups exploit drug trafficking routes to smuggle arms. With the prevalence of conflict zones in Africa, these activities pose significant security risks for both cargo and passenger flights.
In addition to drug trafficking, the African region faces a significant challenge with wildlife smuggling, the fourth-largest criminal enterprise globally, valued between US$7-23 billion annually. Items such as rhino horns, ivory, pangolin scales, exotic birds, and furs are commonly trafficked to Asia, Europe, and the U.S. Cargo operators risk severe reputational damage if found involved. Although modern screening systems can detect wildlife, screeners are typically trained to focus on weapons and explosives. Targeted training to identify wildlife in cargo could help mitigate this growing risk effectively.
Recent security challenges also include illegal migration and human trafficking, though these rarely impact cargo operations directly. However, the threat of stowaways remains significant, particularly in Africa. Individuals, often young men, attempt to escape to Europe or North America by hiding in aircraft wheel wells. Several incidents occur every year and most of the stowaways unfortunately die at their attempts either from hypothermia or fall at take-off or landing. Recent incidents include a stowaway intercepted in Accra, Ghana, in April 2024, and two remarkable survivals: one in 2022 on Cargolux flight from Nairobi to Amsterdam and another in 2021 on Turkish Airlines cargo flight also from Nairobi making two stops across Europe until its final arrival to Maastricht.
Another significant threat to smooth air operations is ensuring crew security during layovers. In January 2024, a British Airways pilot was kidnapped and robbed outside a supermarket in Johannesburg. As a result, he was unable to operate the return flight to London, forcing the airline to urgently look for a replacement pilot.
Do these incidents suggest that the risks of flying to Africa are too high? Not necessarily. The key lies in adopting a risk-based approach to security, leveraging threat intelligence, and fostering a strong security culture.
First, operators must actively assess and manage the risks associated with their regions of operations. Today, many resources are available: threat intelligence solutions using open-source data offer real-time, region-specific insights. These include alerts on airspace security, airport security, country unrest, crime and terrorism trends, risks to air crew and ground staff. Beyond alerts, advanced AI-powered systems provide deeper situational analysis and forecasting, adding significant value to an airline’s security and safety risk management.
From an operational perspective, adopting a multi-layered approach to security is essential. It is prudent to have primary security providers supplemented or overseen by secondary providers or own resources to ensure robustness. This oversight is particularly crucial in regions with high corruption, underpaid staff, and unreliable local authorities. Additionally, contracting multiple providers serves as a contingency plan in case of strikes – quite common in the region – or unforeseen issues with the main provider, ensuring seamless operations and risk mitigation.
The concept of security culture has become a core element of ICAO’s efforts to enhance flight safety and security. Simple measures like security reporting, training, and awareness programs significantly contribute to building a strong security culture. In turn, this improved culture positively impacts the overall security level, creating a safer operational environment.
Operating in high-risk regions demands comprehensive security measures across all facets of operations. A risk-based approach, combined with advanced AI-powered threat intelligence and a strong internal security culture, can transform security into a strategic business partner. When aligned with operational, financial, and commercial goals, security becomes an enabler of business continuity and growth, ensuring both safety and profitability in challenging environments.
