Air transport sector reportedly generates K9.9 billion in export value in 2025

Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) Board Chair, Daan Brink, says dependable air cargo services are not only a logistical necessity but also a strategic economic enabler that can strengthen Zambia’s position in global trade.

Brink said efficient air cargo operations bridge the gap between domestic production and international demand, enabling the country to compete more effectively in export markets.

Speaking during a meeting with ZACL team on Wednesday in Lusaka, he explained that improving air connectivity remained central to the corporation’s strategy to boost export growth and expand the tourism sector.

“As a country, we already have strong producers and steadily improving storage facilities. The next step is to strengthen the airlift that connects Zambia efficiently to global markets. When that link is reliable, goods move faster, quality is maintained and exporters can access dependable international destinations,” Brink said.

According to a statement issued by ZACL Senior Manager for Corporate Affairs and Communication, Mwamba Chasaya-Siame, on Thursday the air transport sector generated about K9.9 billion in export value in 2025, accounting for roughly three percent of Zambia’s total exports across all transport modes.

Chasaya-Siame said this makes air freight the second-largest contributor to export value after road transport, highlighting the sector’s increasing strategic importance to the national economy.

She further noted that the country’s air cargo sector recorded strong growth in 2025, with throughput rising 14 percent year-on-year to 21,713 metric tonnes, up from 19,042 metric tonnes in 2024.

Chasaya-Siame explained that air transport played a critical role in moving Zambia’s high-value and perishable exports, including fresh produce, flowers and specialised goods destined for Europe, where speed and product quality were vital for competitiveness and profitability.

She added that the sector also supported tourism and business travel by connecting visitors and investors through airlines and travel agents into Zambia’s airports and onward to tourism destinations across the country.

Passenger traffic across ZACL’s network also reportedly grew in 2025, with international airports and key aerodromes handling 2,441,100 passengers, representing a seven percent increase compared to the previous year.

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