Africa's global role can boost airport growth

“This year marks one of the most significant infrastructure investment cycles for the airport sector,” said Mpumi Mpofu, CEO of Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA).

Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International Airport currently handles 28 million passenger annually, while Cape Town accommodates 15 million and King Shaka seven million. Beyond South Africa, other countries are making notable advancements, such as Angola, with its new 15 million passenger airport and Ethiopia’s construction of a 150 million passenger facility near Addis Ababa.

Mpofu emphasised the growing significance of African nations in the global economy, particularly middle-income countries like Kenya, Ethiopia and Nigeria, which are all investing in their airport infrastructure. She highlighted that this wave would drive a renaissance of airport development across the continent.

Niger, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda were also all cited as key growth economies. Despite South Africa’s status as one of Africa’s largest economies, Mpofu pointed out that its growth rate lags behind other middle-income countries. However, with the anticipated growth in passenger traffic ACSA is moving forward with an ambitious R21.7bn investment in infrastructure development.

Infrastructure development is a crucial focus, but Mpofu stressed the need for simultaneous route expansion and capacity building. Mwamba Patience Nkambale Phiri, airport manager at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Airport in Zambia, reinforced these points, highlighting the primary challenges as the need to improve policy regulations and infrastructure development. 

Meanwhile, Abdoulaye Cisse, head of MEAA, Menzies Aviation highlighted the importance of securing investment, particularly through public-private partnerships (PPPs), which he views as critical to meeting airports’ financial needs.

Rampa Rammopo, CEO, Lanseria Airport, speaking from the perspective of Lanseria, a privately-owned airport with access to its own capital, shared plans to launch a cargo, FBO and MRO facility by 2025. He also emphasised the importance of diversifying revenue streams through non-aeronautical ventures to ensure financial sustainability.