The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released fresh data for August 2025, highlighting continued resilience and expansion in both global air cargo and passenger markets. Africa notably led air cargo growth among all regions, while passenger travel hit new record highs.

According to IATA’s cargo market analysis, global air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), rose 4.1% year-on-year in August, marking the sixth consecutive monthly increase. African airlines drove this growth with an 11.0% increase in cargo demand, the strongest rise globally. Capacity on the continent also expanded by 12.3%, signaling strengthened logistics capabilities and growing trade flows. This surge supports vital sectors like agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing, reinforcing Africa’s growing role in global supply chains.

Meanwhile, total global air passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), increased 4.6% year-on-year in August. Total capacity expanded 4.5%, with a record-high load factor of 86.0%, indicating fuller flights and operational efficiency. International passenger traffic was the primary growth driver, rising 6.6%, while domestic travel grew 1.5%.

Africa registered a notable 8.9% increase in passenger demand and a 6.6% rise in capacity, with an improved load factor of 80.2%, highlighting a recovery in regional air travel fueled by economic activities and tourism.

IATA Director General Willie Walsh commented on the data: “Despite economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, global air travel and freight volumes continue to grow robustly. Airlines are responding by maximizing efficiency and planning increased capacity, reflecting strong market demand.”

The evolving trade patterns, tariff fluctuations, and supply chain adaptations have particularly benefited air cargo trade lanes linking Africa with Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, which have seen consecutive months of growth. The Africa-Asia corridor reported an 8.4% rise in air freight volumes, underscoring deepening commercial ties and expanding market opportunities.

Lower jet fuel prices — down 6.4% from last year — sustained affordability for air cargo operations globally, while manufacturing sector optimism in August added to positive market sentiment, despite persistent caution around export orders.

Overall, the August 2025 data from IATA highlights how air transport remains a crucial pillar supporting economic growth and integration in Africa and worldwide. Investments in aviation infrastructure and continued market liberalization stand to further enhance the continent’s connectivity and participation in global commerce.

As airlines prepare for the upcoming travel seasons with increased capacity, vigilance regarding evolving market dynamics and supply chain resilience will be key to sustaining this positive trajectory in both passenger and cargo sectors.

A comprehensive new study has revealed a troubling state of low job motivation among health professionals in Ethiopia, a situation that poses significant risks to healthcare quality and patient safety. The meta-analysis, which combined data from nearly 4,000 health workers across the country, found that only 44% considered themselves well motivated to perform their duties.

Key factors undermining motivation include low wages, inadequate benefits, and challenging working environments, common in many low-income settings like Ethiopia. Experts warn that this lack of motivation contributes directly to decreased efficiency, poor service quality, increased absenteeism, and high staff turnover within health facilities nationwide.

The study highlights dangerous behaviors that may arise from demotivated workers, such as neglecting patient care and irregular financial dealings, actions that erode public trust in the health system.

Job satisfaction emerged as the strongest predictor of motivation, with satisfied health workers nearly four times more likely to be motivated. Those working in better-resourced facilities were also roughly three times as motivated. Access to training and professional development significantly boosted motivation levels, with those who received training 2.6 times more likely to feel motivated.

These findings underscore systemic vulnerabilities and call for urgent reforms focused on improving working conditions, remuneration, and capacity building. Enhancing health worker motivation is essential not only for maintaining high standards of patient care but also for safeguarding public confidence in Ethiopia’s healthcare system going forward.

A major new partnership between international water and sanitation organization Aqua for All and Bunna Bank aims to transform access to clean water and sanitation services by addressing Ethiopia’s significant financing gap in the WASH sector. The joint initiative introduces a consolidated lending facility designed to accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6 by mobilizing more than 330 million birr in blended finance.

This strategic move signifies a shift from prior programs focused mainly on micro and small financial institutions to engaging commercial banks, enabling the attraction of large-scale private capital. Aqua for All’s capital, combined with 75% of Bunna Bank’s resources, underpins this innovative financing model that reduces investment risks and empowers local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to expand and attract further investment.

Scheduled to run until 2029, the partnership seeks to transition WASH service provision from being solely a government or charity responsibility into a sustainable business opportunity. Empowerment of women and girls forms a core focus area, integrating gender equality with climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts to maximize impact.

Since 2019, Aqua for All has successfully expanded improved water and sanitation access across Africa and Asia, with Ethiopia as a critical focus. The new blended finance program builds on this experience, strengthening the capacity of financial institutions to develop specialized lending products that cater to the unique challenges of the WASH sector.