A new whitepaper has urged greater air freight capacity for Sub-Saharan Africa to support healthcare and boost exports, reports London's Air Cargo News.

The study by Pharma.Aero and TIACA found the region receives only two per cent of global cargo availability, restricting access to medicines and limiting growth of high-value agricultural exports. Demand is rising due to population growth and increased need for temperature-sensitive healthcare products.

Up to 90 per cent of critical pharmaceuticals, including vaccines and lifesaving therapies, arrive by air. Seasonal surges in vaccine demand and outbreaks of malaria, cholera and influenza highlight the need for more reliable capacity.

Limited cargo space also hampers Africa's perishables exports compared with Asia and Latin America, reducing job creation and foreign-exchange earnings. The report called for stronger air cargo links between Europe and Africa, warning of intensifying competition from China and India investing in African logistics gateways.

Pharma.Aero secretary general Frank Van Gelder said the imbalance restricts access to essential medicines and agricultural exports. He said expanding capacity would strengthen local economies and healthcare resilience.

TIACA director general Glyn Hughes described the findings as a wake-up call, stressing that the shortage of capacity affects lives and livelihoods. He said coordinated industry action is needed to improve healthcare access, boost rural incomes and build resilient supply chains.

Earlier this month, Frankfurt Airport joined Pharma.Aero to help strengthen supply chains for life-saving healthcare products.