By: Air cargo week

Pharma.Aero has launched, in collaboration with TIACA, a project examining bidirectional flows between vaccine and medicine shipments to low- and middle-income countries and the return of perishables to global markets. The latest project indicates that Sub-Saharan Africa continues to receive only a small proportion of global airfreight capacity, despite growing health and trade needs. This gap has implications for vaccine access, economic development, and long-term growth. The mismatch between population size and available cargo space reflects a structural underallocation of lift into the region.

“Only 2 percent of complete air cargo capacity is allocated to Sub-Saharan Africa, while the continent has 1.2 billion people,” Frank Van Gelder, secretary general of Pharma.Aero, said. “This makes it clear that the region is underserved. When we started the project, it immediately became apparent that outbound pharma flows and inbound perishables rarely align. The two industries do not traditionally talk to one another, which means capacity planning is not optimised.”

Stronger connectivity is vital for time-sensitive shipments. “Cold chain and last-mile infrastructure remain critical constraints. It can be faster to route a shipment from Kenya to Abu Dhabi and back to Senegal than to move it directly within Africa. That creates risk for pharmaceuticals, where time and temperature control define viability. If we want to build a sustainable model, we must streamline these corridors and address the regulatory fragmentation that complicates movements,” he added.

Economic indicators do not automatically translate into improved health outcomes. “Forty percent of GDP in the region depends on fresh produce, and 70 percent of labour is in farming,” he continued. “At the same time, around 25 percent of global vaccine demand sits in Africa, yet immunisation remains low. Growing trade does not equal improved access to healthcare. By increasing airfreight capacity, we can create pathways that support both economic development and health security – making Africa a substantial and untapped economic opportunity for air cargo.”

The overarching objective is to align economic and health interests. “The project aims to demonstrate that improved cargo flow can support local economies, raise vaccine accessibility, and reduce poverty. Better connectivity contributes to broader sustainability goals because long-term resilience depends on stronger health and education outcomes. Importantly, the project defined a clear, actionable plan to be escalated to authorities and NGOs for implementation,” Van Gelder stated.

Sustainability, packaging and anti-counterfeiting challenges

Sustainability concerns in Africa’s pharma supply chain extend beyond emissions, encompassing packaging, waste, falsified medication, and accessibility. The sector must consider the full lifecycle of pharmaceutical packaging and its environmental impact once products reach remote markets. These outcomes depend heavily on packaging suppliers, supply chain visibility, and coherent regulatory engagement.

“When we look at sustainability, it is not only about CO2,” Van Gelder said. “Battling poverty is inseparable from long-term sustainability. Investment in healthcare and education is essential. The packaging challenge is significant because materials need to maintain cold chain integrity but must also avoid becoming pollutants when they enter a second life in rural areas. Packaging companies have a substantial responsibility to provide recyclable or reusable solutions that fit the continent’s reality.”

Falsified medicines remain a major sustainability and safety issue. “One out of five medications in the African market is falsified. That costs around 700,000 lives a year. We must address counterfeiting as part of the wider framework. Increasing traceability and supply chain visibility is the practical route to reducing exposure to falsified products,” he explained.

To address these challenges, coordinated governance is required. “Regulation in Africa is very complex, with each country operating its own framework. Bringing regulators, governments, and the pharmaceutical sector together is essential. Collaboration is not a slogan; it is operational. We need manufacturers to help secure products in ways that allow tracking to the last mile. We also need structured collaboration with NGOs and industry bodies to reduce the opportunities for illicit supply chains,” he laid out.

Accessibility underpins all three pillars of sustainability. “Vaccines and medicines must reach communities in every part of the continent. Without coordinated planning, the market will continue to rely on fragmented supply chains, which increases waste, risk, and inequality. Accessibility, transparency, and responsible packaging are fundamental to sustainable pharma logistics,” Van Gelder highlighted.