The heart of East Africa will take centre stage in February 2025 as Nairobi hosts Air Cargo Africa 2025, one of the continent’s most anticipated logistics events.
Set to run from February 19 to 21 at the Sarit Expo Centre, the gathering will shine a spotlight on the region's growing significance in the global airfreight and transport sectors.
More than 60 exhibitors and 2,000 professionals from across the globe are expected to converge on Nairobi for the event, representing a wide array of players from both international and African markets.
Logistics giants, including Swissport, Emirates SkyCargo, Qatar Cargo, and MSC, will be joined by key regional players such as Kenya Airways Cargo and Ethiopian Airlines, showcasing the breadth of industry involvement.
With global participation set to include exhibitors from China and a German Pavilion, the event underscores East Africa’s emerging role as a pivotal logistics gateway.
East Africa’s strategic positioning has long been recognised, and the robust infrastructure in Kenya is playing a crucial role in shaping the region into a logistics powerhouse.
Notable infrastructure, including the Nairobi Inland Container Depot, Lamu Port, and the Mombasa-Nairobi High-Speed Rail, have further strengthened the region’s connectivity and its potential for facilitating trade across the continent and beyond.
Dick Murianki, Director of Kenya Airways Cargo, remarked, “Air Cargo Africa is coming home, Nairobi underscores Africa’s role in driving global airfreight innovation.”
This statement comes as the region continues to experience unprecedented growth in air cargo, driven by surging demand for goods such as fresh produce, pharmaceuticals, and speciality items.
Air Cargo Africa 2025 promises to be more than just an exhibition. A dedicated full-day session on February 21 will focus on health and humanitarian logistics, an area of critical importance in today’s global supply chains.
This session is being curated by the Health and Humanitarian Logistics Association, ensuring that the event addresses pressing issues facing the logistics sector in Africa and beyond.
On February 20, the best and brightest of the air cargo industry will be honoured at an exclusive awards ceremony hosted by Stat Media. This celebration of excellence aims to recognise the individuals and companies making significant strides in transforming the logistics landscape.
Kenya’s growing prominence as an air cargo hub was reinforced earlier this year, with Jomo Kenyatta International Airport handling an impressive 112,000 tons of cargo in the first quarter of 2024.
Nairobi continues to solidify its status as one of Africa’s leading cargo hubs, joining the ranks of Addis Ababa and Johannesburg.
Outbound air cargo from Africa has grown by 6 per cent year-on-year in 2024, with special cargo such as horticulture, coffee, and seafood making up a significant 80 per cent of exports.
As global trade continues to shift, Air Cargo Africa 2025 stands as a testament to the future of logistics and the role East Africa will play in shaping it.
