Top 10 largest airports in Africa

Africa's aviation industry is undergoing a significant transformation, marked by rapid expansion and substantial improvements in airport infrastructure. This growth is driven by millions of travelers flying across the continent for tourism, business, and commerce, leading to increased passenger demand. Several African airports now meet global standards in terms of size, technology, and traffic volume, solidifying their roles as critical hubs for regional and international connectivity. The continent's top 10 largest airports, ranked by capacity, passenger volume, and strategic relevance, are at the forefront of this development.

O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, stands as Africa's busiest aviation hub, managing over 20 million passengers annually and serving as the primary base for South African Airways. Its modern facilities and extensive connections to Europe, Asia, and the Americas underscore its pivotal role. Following closely, Cairo International Airport in Egypt, with approximately 17 million yearly passengers, acts as a crucial gateway linking Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Other significant hubs include Cape Town International Airport (South Africa), lauded for its design and tourist access, and Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (Ethiopia), a major transit point and main hub for Ethiopian Airlines, accommodating over 12 million passengers.

The list further highlights the strategic importance of airports such as Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa's busiest, and Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, Morocco, a key gateway for Royal Air Maroc. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, serves as East Africa's largest, while Algiers Houari Boumediene Airport in Algeria, King Shaka International Airport in Durban, South Africa, and Entebbe International Airport in Uganda complete the top ten. These airports are not merely transit points but are vital economic engines, supporting tourism, trade, and regional integration through continuous modernization and expansion efforts.

This comprehensive ranking underscores the dynamic evolution of Africa's air travel landscape. Each airport's strategic location, ongoing infrastructure upgrades, and increasing passenger traffic collectively contribute to positioning Africa as a rapidly growing force in global aviation. The continued investment in these facilities is essential for sustaining the continent's economic development and enhancing its connectivity on an international scale.