Nairobi is set to host Air Cargo Africa 2025 from February 19–21, 2025, cementing Kenya’s role as a key player in the continent’s logistics and airfreight sectors. The highly anticipated event will attract global and regional industry leaders, showcasing innovations and addressing key challenges in Africa’s fast-growing air cargo industry.
Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) handled an impressive 112,000 tonnes of cargo in Q1 2024, solidifying its position as one of Africa’s busiest hubs alongside Addis Ababa and Johannesburg. Rising global demand for fresh produce, specialty goods, and pharmaceuticals has fuelled rapid growth, with outbound air cargo from Africa increasing by 6% year-on-year in 2024. Special cargo now accounts for 80% of exports, highlighting the sector’s focus on high-value goods.
Major players like Swissport, Emirates SkyCargo, Turkish Cargo, and MSC will join African leaders, including Kenya Airways Cargo, Ethiopian Airlines, and Astral Aviation, at the event. International exhibitors will also include a German Pavilion and representatives from China, showcasing the global appeal of Air Cargo Africa 2025.
The conference agenda will address critical topics spanning air, maritime, rail, and road logistics, with a special focus on Health and Humanitarian Logistics (HHL) on the third day. This programme, organised with the Health and Humanitarian Logistics Association (HLA), will feature site visits and discussions on pioneering solutions in the sector.
An awards ceremony on February 20, 2025, will recognise trailblazers in logistics and air cargo, celebrating their contributions to the industry.
“East Africa’s strategic position makes it a vital gateway for global logistics,” the organisers noted. Kenya’s infrastructure projects, such as the Nairobi Inland Container Depot, Lamu Port, and the Mombasa-Nairobi High-Speed Rail, have further strengthened its role in modernising transport networks across Africa.
“Air Cargo Africa is coming home!” said Dick Murianki, Director of Cargo at Kenya Airways. “This event underscores Nairobi’s growing importance as a hub for innovation and connectivity in airfreight.”