African aviation is growing fast, but the digital systems that support it are struggling to keep up. That is the central message from SITA’s latest Air Transport IT Insights report, which shows that airlines and airports in Africa and the Middle East are investing heavily in technology but are not yet getting the full value from that spending. In this interview, SITA’s President for Africa and the Middle East, Selim Bouri, explains why data integration, financing gaps and uneven digital priorities remain major obstacles — and what needs to change as Ethiopia expands its aviation infrastructure. Excerpts;
Capital: Why do many African airlines and airports still operate with systems that do not fully connect with one another?
Selim Bouri: This issue is actually global and not unique to Africa; it affects the entire aviation market and industry. Currently, there is a worldwide emphasis on increasing investment in technology. However, when we examine the situation in Africa and the Middle East, we notice a discrepancy between the investment levels of airlines and airports. While all airlines are actively investing in technology, not all airports are doing the same. They do not share the same priorities in their technology investments. Although airports are making significant investments in new technologies, particularly in AI, they do not do so at the same scale or with the same urgency as airlines.
The main challenge today is not just the technology itself, as you mentioned, but rather the integration of data across systems. Currently, the focus on data investment is unequal between airlines and airports. Each entity tends to invest in its own specific areas, leading to some optimizations. However, this lack of integration can hinder the ability to maximize those optimizations and, in the worst-case scenario, create additional problems by failing to manage disruptions effectively. Disruptions have become a part of daily operations for airlines and airports.
Without proper management and integration of different systems, what should be an isolated incident can escalate and disrupt the entire network.
Capital: What is the biggest barrier to real-time data sharing across Africa’s aviation ecosystem?
Selim Bouri: There are several barriers to this issue, stemming from a combination of factors. These include regulatory fragmentation, sovereign concerns, and varying levels of sensitivity regarding data and information among different parties. However, the primary challenge lies in the speed of technology investment. According to our study, 100% of airlines surveyed in Africa and the Middle East are investing in and planning to increase their investments in real-time data processing and data-driven operations, which is better than the global average. In contrast, less than half of airports—only 43%—are planning similar investments, significantly below the global average of around 70%.
Consequently, the integration and optimization that could result from leveraging data across the board will not occur if investment levels do not improve. Additionally, airlines often have more control over their customers and better access to financing, which gives them an advantage. In comparison, airports in Africa and the Middle East face greater challenges in securing financing.
It’s quite challenging due to the uneven distribution of access to financing within the ecosystem. Therefore, it’s crucial to find effective strategies to ensure that investments are not made in isolation—such as by a reactor, airline, government, or airport—but rather in a way that optimizes and maximizes integration.
The impact of this integrated approach would be multiplied, benefiting everyone involved.
Currently, the biggest challenge lies in identifying the right focus for investment in these technologies. Investment should not be limited to specific areas; for example, funding for airports should extend beyond just the airport space. It must also encompass the technological components that facilitate effective integration across the entire ecosystem.
Capital: How much is full system integration costing African airlines in terms of delays, disruptions, and operational inefficiencies?
Selim Bouri: It’s difficult to provide a specific number focused solely on Africa. However, we know that delays and disruptions cost hundreds of billions of dollars annually. This amount can often equal, if not exceed, the operating costs of airlines, making it a significant issue. The costs in Africa are even higher due to the operational impacts of fewer active routes and hubs. In the event of disruptions, the recovery options are limited, further complicating the situation.
The key challenge is not merely preventing disruptions, as they are now an unavoidable reality. Instead, we must ensure that every system and investment is robust and resilient enough to handle these disruptions. This is particularly important as the African aviation market is growing, with airlines and airports expanding.
To sustain this growth without causing disruptions, we must focus on more than just increasing the number of aircraft or building new airports, which takes time. It is essential to invest in technology that enables effective management of current growth, optimizing passenger processing and, more importantly, enhancing overall aircraft operations.
The improvements in passenger processing and border management will only be realized with the right technology. This requires a comprehensive approach rather than a piecemeal one; integration and integrity of data are crucial. This is a key finding from our global study.
At SITA, we believe this principle is particularly relevant to Africa, where substantial growth is occurring. However, this growth cannot be addressed by waiting for the construction of new airports and hubs, which could take 5 to 10 years. We need to act now.
Capital: What needs to change for aviation technology investment in Africa to produce better returns?
Selim Bouri: Investments must be prioritized effectively and timed appropriately. While adding space and aircraft is essential, these solutions will take time to implement. Currently, the aviation industry faces significant supply chain challenges affecting aircraft manufacturers, indicating that these solutions are mid- to long-term. In the short term, we must focus on managing the immediate growth and associated challenges, such as rising fuel prices, delays, and disruptions, which increase costs for airlines and airports.
To address these challenges, investments should be allocated wisely between current needs and future growth. Current data shows that in Africa and the Middle East, airport investments are overly focused on long-term goals, neglecting immediate needs. Today, the priority for airlines is to leverage data, artificial intelligence, and optimization, while airports are primarily investing in basic telecommunications and IT systems.
The real challenge is to accelerate these efforts. If optimization on the airline side is not matched by improvements at the airport or border, it could lead to disruptions. It’s vital to establish a fair investment scheme that enables airports to secure the necessary financing for immediate improvements, as they do not directly sell tickets like airlines do. We cannot afford to wait for new infrastructure; we must enhance existing facilities now.
Capital: Is the current pace of digital transformation in African aviation keeping up with the continent’s traffic growth?
Selim Bouri: Not yet. Despite some progress, we are still far from achieving this. Africa is currently the fastest-growing market for aviation and air transport, which is promising. However, when we examine the pace of investment in technology,
it falls short. Less than 43% of airports are planning to increase their investment in technology. This indicates a disconnect; while airlines are investing heavily—proportionally more than those in the rest of the world—airports are lagging.
Airlines in Africa and the Middle East recognize the need to invest in technology to improve operations and interconnect with the global aviation network. It’s crucial that airports receive similar attention for technological upgrades. Airports typically have less control over their customers and face greater challenges in accessing financing. Therefore, it’s essential to establish equitable financing avenues for airports, whether through concessions or by involving airlines in funding airport technology.
Ultimately, if technology is not implemented uniformly, no one will benefit. For instance, if an airline invests significantly in data and technology to leverage AI and data-driven decision-making, but operates in an airport that lacks data integration, they will not reap the rewards. In the event of disruptions, they will bear the costs. Thus, creating a fair cross-financing model between airports and airlines to support technology investment is vital. Currently, Africa has not reached the necessary level or speed of technology investment to match traffic growth, which is poised to be substantial. This growth presents a great opportunity for Africa, but we must ensure it translates into economic prosperity rather than costs incurred from delays or inefficiencies.
Capital: What risks do African airlines face when they continue to mix legacy systems with newer technologies?
Selim Bouri: The primary risk is the potential for increased fragmentation rather than integration. In the best-case scenario, airlines may not fully capitalize on new investments and technologies. In the worst-case scenario, this could lead to more disruptions. For example, if we implement advanced technology in areas such as aircraft operations or disruption management but fail to upgrade passenger processing systems, we risk undermining overall efficiency.
This means there will be a delay in allowing passengers to reach the gate, so any improvements made on one side will effectively be lost. Similarly, without proper data integration for border management and baggage handling, processing passengers in five minutes becomes meaningless if they end up waiting three hours due to issues with aircraft connections, baggage distribution, or fuel management. This creates an ecosystem where if all components are not integrated with the right technology, the overall effect will be negligible.
The integration of legacy and new technologies is crucial. We need to focus on standardization and appropriate levels of investment, especially in Africa, where there are opportunities for new constructions that do not face the same constraints as more mature markets burdened by outdated systems. Africa has the chance to adopt the latest and standardized technologies immediately.
The key point is that investments should not necessarily focus on the newest technology but rather on proven, standardized technologies that can evolve. While this may involve higher initial costs, it ensures that the implemented systems can scale up or down as needed. The greatest risk lies in creating silos, which could force a complete system replacement, jeopardizing operations. If African airports and airlines fail to invest in standardized and upgradeable technology, they may face significant challenges ahead.
Capital: Okay, my last question is to what extent are African airports prepared to handle passenger and cargo volumes with their current digital systems?
Selim Bouri: Progress is being made, but as studies indicate, it is inconsistent and often very limited. Airlines are investing more than airports, and within airport investments, a significant portion is focused on infrastructure—specifically, building square meters—rather than on advanced technologies that enable ecosystem integration.
We need better coordination among all stakeholders, including airlines, airports, and government agencies, especially regarding border control, visa processing, passport checks, and biometrics.
If investments are not made in an integrated manner, there is a risk that we will not be able to keep pace with the rapid growth in passenger numbers compared to the slower speed of constructing new airports.
