Africa’s diverse geography and expanding economies have fostered an extensive network of airports and airfields across the continent.
From major international hubs handling millions of passengers each year to small airstrips connecting remote communities, these facilities play a vital role in transport, tourism, and economic activity.
Airports are defined as facilities with paved runways and regular commercial services, primarily handling passenger flights, cargo transport, and connecting cities or countries.
Airfields, on the other hand, include smaller or unpaved strips used for private, regional, or specialized operations, often accommodating helicopters, charter flights, and logistical or emergency services.
The data for this ranking is sourced from the World Factbook by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), specifically the Country Comparisons section on Airports. Totals include all locations recognizable from the air, whether paved or unpaved, and may cover closed or abandoned installations.
Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria, ranks 18th on the continent with approximately 50 airports and airfields. Of these, 23 are operational and managed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), handling over 18 million passengers annually, according to the ICAO State Profile: FAAN 2024. Despite a population of more than 200 million, most Nigerians rely on road transport, and limited income and demand restrict air travel.
The list below presents the ten African countries with the largest number of airports and airfields in 2025, highlighting major international gateways, regional connectivity, and the role of smaller airstrips in linking communities, supporting tourism, and facilitating economic and logistical activity.
South Africa tops Africa with 573 airports and airfields, reflecting its long aviation history and diverse geography. Its main hubs are OR Tambo International in Johannesburg, Cape Town International, and King Shaka in Durban, which together handle millions of passengers annually.
OR Tambo alone recorded more than 17.8 million passengers in the fiscal year April–March 2024 and over 204,000 aircraft movements in the same period, according to OAG’s Global Airline Schedules.
Beyond the main gateways, hundreds of smaller airstrips sustain vital activities such as mining in the Northern Cape, safari tourism around Kruger National Park, and private charters across the country. Many other airports cater specifically to domestic travel, connecting regional cities and towns. The high count also reflects South Africa’s vibrant general aviation sector, including flying clubs, agricultural strips, and municipal aerodromes scattered nationwide.
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