Zambia Air Cargo Volumes Surge 14 Percent in 2025

Zambia's air transport sector delivered strong results in 2025, contributing approximately 9.9 billion kwacha to the country's export earnings - equivalent to three percent of total exports and making it the second-largest export transport corridor after road.

Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) Board Chairperson Daan Brink, announcing the figures, highlighted that cargo volumes climbed 14 percent last year to surpass 21,000 metric tonnes, a result he described as reflecting sustained recovery and growing confidence in the sector.

Brink attributed the surge primarily to rising demand for the swift, reliable movement of high-value and perishable goods, particularly fresh produce and cut flowers destined for international markets. He argued that expanding air connectivity is now central to realising Zambia's full export potential.

While acknowledging improvements in both production capacity and cold chain storage infrastructure, Brink identified efficient air cargo transport as the critical gap still holding the sector back. Closing that gap, he said, would preserve product quality, shorten delivery times, and give Zambian exporters a genuine competitive edge on the global stage.

ZACL, he said, remains firmly committed to addressing these constraints through targeted investment in airport infrastructure and cargo handling facilities, as well as deepening partnerships with airlines operating in and out of Zambia.

The figures signal that air freight is increasingly central to Zambia's broader trade ambitions, and that the infrastructure case for further investment is becoming harder to ignore.