WEEKLY NEWS


AFRICA'S AIR CARGO TRAILBLAZER


AIR CARG O WEEK


BY Edward HARDY


Innovating from necessity One of the most pioneering areas of Gadhia’s career in recent years


has been his push into cargo drone technology, spearheaded through a subsidiary-turned-independent company now led by his son, Kush. It’s a story that blends legacy with innovation. “The drone business that we set up approximately eight years ago is


very dear to me,” Gadhia said. “It was set up initially as a subsidiary of Astral Aviation and eventually became a standalone company.” The project aims to address one of the biggest logistical barriers in


Africa: the “last mile” between major hubs and isolated locations. “You can fly the finest aircraft to transport cargo to the airport—but


how does it reach a remote village two hours away?” he pointed out. “That’s where drones change the game. Their real value lies in solving the toughest challenge in logistics: last-mile delivery.” Though he admits the solution is still in progress, Gadhia remains


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committed, collaborating with drone OEMs and forging long-term partnerships that he hopes will solve a problem that continues to limit Africa’s logistical potential. “Eight years in, and I still haven’t reached that point of genuine


fulfillment—where I can truly say we’ve solved this. It’s clear the journey will take longer, perhaps even outlast my own efforts.”


Mentoring the next generation Another key aspect of Gadhia’s vision is his commitment to the next


generation of African entrepreneurs. As a mentor and sounding board for many across the continent, he’s become a source of guidance and reassurance in a landscape where financial and institutional support remains limited. “If I could offer one piece of advice to young entrepreneurs, it would


be this: Stay true to your vision, but never underestimate the power of mentorship,” he shared. “Too often, I see driven individuals trying to go it alone—without enough support from the business world. That’s when the journey feels most isolating.” The challenges are real: lack of capital, lack of infrastructure, and cultural


hurdles. But Gadhia offers something many in his position do not—his time. “Over the years, I’ve connected with so many aspiring entrepreneurs—


from Kenya, from across Africa—who’ve reached out for guidance. Whenever possible, I make time for them. Sometimes, all it takes is a little encouragement and direction to help them keep moving forward.” His advice is straightforward: don’t chase money, chase meaning.


Put in the work. Embrace the uncertainty. “Never shy away from working seven days a week, 30 days a month.


Never shy away from taking a mortgage on your house just to actually keep the company afloat.”


Networks, partnerships, and a shared future Even after 25 years, Gadhia is far from done. His vision for the next


decade is ambitious: build a stronger African network, expand global feeder routes into the continent, and deepen strategic partnerships that promote shared success. “We really want to grow our African network. That’s my first priority,”


he said. “Because I really believe that I owe a lot to my continent. I’m born in Africa.” With enhanced partnerships like those with Emirates Skycargo and


Turkish Airlines in addition to over fifty interline partners already in motion, he envisions a network that’s not just operationally effective, but inclusive. “Creating an African network just for my own benefit would be a


missed opportunity—it would actually do a disservice to our collective progress. True value comes when you build something meaningful and open it up for others to grow with you.” At the awards ceremony in Munich, Gadhia was the only African


airline representative with a booth—an achievement not lost on him. “It was really a very humbling moment when I was selected for my


contributions,” he said. “Even yesterday, I was with Norman Bamford, and we were talking about the event. And I feel, for me, this is like 100 percent successful event.” And in typical Gadhia fashion, he’s already looking ahead—not to


celebrate, but to keep building. “I’m even looking forward now getting ready for the next event, which is in Hong Kong,” he said with a smile. “Because it’s not about take, take, take. I really have to also give back.”


Did You Know ? THE HEALTHY BURGER BY Michael SALES


The increasingly popular beef and cheese burger has penetrated virtually every society in the world. Considered by many as unhealthy and a major cause of obesity, consumption continues to increase. According to the World Population


Review, the average American consumes the


equivalent of three beefburgers


a week, while global fast food sales reached US$731.65 billion in 2022, with the United States leading in consumption. Other countries like China, the UK, and even


gastronomic burger rich France in also have


significant fast food consumption rates. Enter the salmon burger – the healthy option,


omega-3s and high-quality protein, and easy to prepare


in 15 minutes. The Norwegian salmon giant Mowi is promoting its branded product, “Salmon Fjord Burgers”, across the pond through the membership-based Sam’s Club store chain, part of the giant Walmart group. The company promotes to US consumers


that its Salmon Fjord Burgers are “crafted from Atlantic salmon raised in the crystal- clear waters of Norway’s fjords”. Norway's salmon exports reached a record


value of NOK 122.9 billion (approximately US$11.6 billion) in 2024. This represents a slight increase of 1 percent from 2023, despite volume growth of 2 percent. Salmon accounted for 70 percent of the total value of Norway's seafood exports. Despite lower prices, strong growth in Asia—particularly in countries like China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Korea—contributed to this record-


breaking year. The United States was a key market


for Norwegian salmon, with a 50 percent jump in export value in February 2025. Global demand for salmon has created


successful aquaculture industries in many countries, but the enormous quantities of fish escaping from fish farms in various countries, plus the threat to wild salmon populations, is causing concern amongst various organisations and private anglers.


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