Ethiopian Airlines Expands Influence in Central Africa with Air Congo Fleet Upgrade and New ATR 72-600s Ethiopian Airlines is accelerating its strategic expansion across Africa—this time by reinforcing its presence in Central Africa through Air Congo, the young Congolese carrier in which it holds a 49% stake. While Ethiopian continues to increase its investments and aircraft orders, it is steadily consolidating regional influence through this growing partnership. Before its major
Category: East Africa
Africa’s Aviation Growth Accelerates as Ethiopia and Senegal Order 20 Boeing 737 MAX Jets
Ethiopia and Senegal Place Multi-Billion-Dollar Boeing 737 MAX Orders to Modernise Fleets and Expand Global Reach, Ethiopia and Senegal have placed a multi-billion-dollar order for 20 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, marking a major step toward modernising their fleets and expanding capacity across regional and international routes. The deals, unveiled during the Dubai Airshow, signal renewed momentum for Boeing in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. Air Senegal Commits to
Tanzania Political Unrest Disrupts Kenyan Trade at Border
Tanzania Protests After 2025 Election Stall Kenyan Trade, Cross-Border Boda Boda Operations Halted The recent political unrest in Tanzania is beginning to impact trade, with Kenyan business activities facing significant disruptions. Protests following Tanzania’s 2025 presidential election have spilled over into commerce, leaving many Kenyan traders unable to conduct business across the border. Tanzanian security forces have increased their presence at the Taveta-Holili border, complicating movement for Kenyan traders and
Tanzania Reopens Border with Zambia, Restores Key Copper Trade Corridor
Tanzania Reopens Zambia Border After Post-Election Unrest, Boosting Copper and Cobalt Exports Tanzania has reopened its border with Zambia, restoring the flow of cargo along a critical trade corridor for Africa’s two largest copper exporters. The border had been closed last week due to post-election unrest, which brought shipments to a standstill. The situation normalized on Monday, according to Oliver Nzala, corporate communications manager at the Zambia Revenue Authority. Border
DP World Launches Digital Port Community System to Modernize Kenya’s Port of Mombasa
DP World Unveils Port Community System in Kenya to Boost Mombasa’s Efficiency and Strengthen East Africa’s Trade Corridors DP World has officially launched its state-of-the-art Port Community System (PCS) in Kenya, marking a significant milestone in the digital transformation of the Port of Mombasa—one of Africa’s busiest and most strategic maritime gateways. As the primary entry and exit point for more than a dozen landlocked countries across East and Central
African Development Bank Approves €217 Million to Boost Uganda–Rwanda Road Connectivity
AfDB Injects €217 Million to Complete Busega–Mpigi and Kagitumba–Kayonza–Rusumo Roads, Enhancing Uganda–Rwanda Trade The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved an additional €217.37 million to complete the Multinational Busega–Mpigi and Kagitumba–Kayonza–Rusumo Roads Project, a key regional infrastructure initiative aimed at strengthening connectivity and cross-border trade between Uganda and Rwanda. The new financing will support the construction of interchanges, bridges, toll plazas, and service lanes, including the crucial Busega Interchange,
Tanzania Port Closure Disrupts African Copper Shipments to China
Election Unrest in Tanzania Temporarily Halts Copper Exports, Forcing Rerouting to Durban, Walvis Bay, and Beira African copper shipments to China were disrupted by the temporary closure of the Port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania following election-related unrest. Copper traders and producers in the Central African Copperbelt sought alternative routes for their cargoes, leading to congestion at other ports, including Durban in South Africa, according to multiple market sources.
China, Zambia, and Tanzania Sign $1.4B Deal to Modernize Tazara Railway
China, Zambia, and Tanzania Agree $1.4 Billion Deal to Upgrade Tazara Railway for Copper Transport China, Zambia, and Tanzania have signed a $1.4 billion agreement to modernize the aging Tanzania–Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) line — a vital transport link for moving copper and other resources out of southern Africa. The deal was officially announced by the Zambian government on Monday. A Historic Railway in Need of Renewal Built in the
$70 Million Preparatory Work Underway for Kalemie Industrial Port to Boost DRC-Tanzania Trade
Kalemie Industrial Port Expansion Begins: $70M Project to Enhance DRC-Tanzania Trade Links Preparatory work has commenced on the future industrial port of Kalemie, a $70 million project aimed at strengthening trade between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Tanzania. The project is being led by the consortium Jintai Mining PTE Ltd and Tembo Majengo Company SARL, which signed a contract with Kinshasa in April. The consortium has begun establishing
RwandAir Strengthens Fleet with New Boeing 737s, Plans Airbus A330 for Long-Haul Expansion
RwandAir Expands Fleet with Boeing 737s and Upcoming Airbus A330 to Boost African and Global Connectivity RwandAir has bolstered its operations this month with the addition of two new Boeing 737-800 aircraft, one of which has already entered service. A third aircraft is expected to join the fleet in the fourth quarter of 2025, as the Kigali-based carrier works to improve reliability and reduce flight delays. The airline has also