Africa holds enormous potential for aviation expansion. To meet the rising demand, countries across Africa are investing heavily in new airport infrastructure to support Africa’s growth in passenger numbers and ever-expanding airline fleet.
But with rapid growth comes the added challenge of not compromising on security. The answer to this challenge lies with tech, making it possible to grow safely while keeping borders secure.
The macro perspective and challenge
According to the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) latest analysis, last year, Africa’s airline passenger numbers rose nearly 15% with an 11% capacity expansion. IATA estimates traffic will have increased by 6.0% year-on-year by year-end 2025, rising to 180 million travellers in 2026 to 280 million in 2034 and 411 million by 2044.
Governments of dynamic and ambitious countries are backing this growth and recognise aviation’s economic benefit, which, in 2023, was assessed to contribute US$75 billion to Africa’s combined GDP and to support over eight million direct and indirect jobs continent-wide, in travel and tourism.
Travel and tourism are clearly critical to national prosperity. The World Travel & Tourism Council’s report ‘Better Borders’ says that better collaboration between tourism, commerce and governments on border efficiency could add US$401 billion to global GDP and 14 million new jobs by 2035. A successful aviation industry in Africa means more jobs, more trade and tourism, and broad social and economic benefits.
The existential threat
But that growth must come without compromising secure, safe and easy travel. So how do resource-strapped immigration, intelligence and border agencies handle rising demand without compromising security? The answer is technology.
Today, immigration, intelligence and border agencies must confront organized international crime, terrorism and even the spread of contagious diseases. And as border engagement evolves, mass migration and population displacement adds yet another lever of complexity.
Addressing the challenge
Balancing security with freedom of movement is essential.
Governments are collecting more traveller data than ever, but what truly matters is how information is used. Intelligence-led risk-assessments and targeting systems can now deliver actionable intelligence, helping border teams detect suspicious activity and take targeted steps to protect their borders.
Data can be assessed from multiple sources:
While privacy and data protection remain essential, modern systems can safely identify patterns, trends, and links between events and identities – giving governments powerful tools to secure their borders.
Today’s digital platforms bring together travel authorizations, biometrics watchlists, and real-time risk checks to keep air, land, and sea borders both secure and fast-moving. To advance on this global priority, the UN Security Council has called on member states to strengthen their ability to track potential terrorist movements. With the right approach, even small steps can unlock major improvements.
Africa is well-positioned to lead this challenge. Although adoption of traveller data systems is still limited to a handful of nations, successes in South Africa and Angola show what is possible. Many other African countries are now evaluating how to build or upgrade these capabilities.
From static systems to dynamic responses
Security must remain a priority alongside infrastructure expansion. But borders cannot become bottlenecks. Interoperability, speed, coordination and adaptability are fundamental.
Dynamic, digitalised tech-driven borders let governments adjust rules, policies and procedures in real-time, strengthening security while making their countries more attractive for travel, trade, tourism and investment. With a shift in mindset, borders can become an integrated, connected system rather than simple checkpoints.
Today’s connected approach to border security involves immigration, customs, public health, intelligence and law enforcement agencies. A siloed approach fuels fragmentation, inefficiencies and serious security gaps.
The integrated model brings together data and decision-making across agencies, providing a single-window view of each traveller or item entering a country. Assessments become simpler, responses faster, and resources go where they’re needed most.
Because many African countries aren’t weighed down by outdated legacy systems, they have the chance to overtake other regions by adopting a fully integrated border concept.
A unique opportunity for Africa
Africa has a unique opportunity to lead the way in modern border management. By rethinking how people, goods, and information move across borders, countries can strike the right balance between security and economic growth. Even small, modular changes, applied consistently and collaboratively by border agencies, can improve national security while at the same time dramatically improving processing times.
The key to simplifying the border transformation journey is to start small, think big. By implementing digital solutions gradually, governments can achieve quick wins, manage change effectively, and create a clear path to a fully digital border. The momentum is here, and Africa has the chance to set the standard for the future of global mobility.
Pedro Alves is Senior Vice President of SITA Borders, the air transport industry’s tech engine that works with over 75 governments— including every G20 nation — to modernise airport and border operations.
