Qatar Airways is deepening its investment in Africa with the acquisition of a 25% stake in South Africa’s Airlink, marking another significant step in the Gulf carrier’s strategic expansion across the continent. The deal, announced on Tuesday, adds to Qatar Airways’ growing portfolio of airline investments and reinforces its commitment to enhancing connectivity within Africa, a region with immense growth potential but historically underserved in aviation.

Airlink, a prominent regional airline in Africa, operates to more than 45 destinations across 15 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. With a fleet of over 65 aircraft and an annual passenger count exceeding 3 million, Airlink has established itself as a key player in African aviation. The new partnership with Qatar Airways is expected to further bolster Airlink’s operational capacity and network reach, while also channeling more traffic through Qatar Airways’ Doha hub.

Rodger Foster, CEO of Airlink, expressed optimism about the partnership, stating, “Having Qatar Airways as an equity partner is a powerful endorsement of Airlink, its business, and echoes our faith and optimism in the markets we currently serve and plan to add to our network.”

Qatar Airways’ Broader African Ambitions

Qatar Airways CEO, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, emphasized the significance of Africa in the airline’s global strategy, noting that the continent represents 18% of the world’s population and remains underserved in terms of air connectivity. “Africa is very important for us… and it is really underserved as a continent,” Al-Meer said, highlighting the airline’s intent to leverage its investments to tap into the region’s growing demand for air travel.

In addition to the Airlink stake, Qatar Airways is also close to finalizing a long-planned investment in Rwanda’s state-owned airline, RwandAir, with plans to acquire a 49% stake. This move is designed to enhance Qatar Airways’ access to passengers from regional African cities, further strengthening its position in the continent’s aviation market.

Qatar Airways already holds a significant portfolio of international airline investments, including a 25% stake in British Airways owner International Airlines Group (IAG), as well as minority stakes in Latam Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, and China Southern Airlines. The airline’s latest investment in Airlink and the anticipated deal with RwandAir represent the final pieces of its African expansion strategy.

Challenges and Opportunities in African Aviation

Despite the potential for growth, Africa’s aviation market faces several challenges, including the slow implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), a 37-country initiative aimed at liberalizing the continent’s airspace. The initiative, launched in 2018, has yet to be fully realized due to resistance from countries seeking to protect their national carriers from increased competition.

However, the strategic investments by Qatar Airways signal a strong belief in the future of African aviation. With demand for air travel expected to rise as African economies continue to develop, Qatar Airways’ expanded presence on the continent positions it to capitalize on these emerging opportunities while contributing to the enhancement of air connectivity within Africa.

As Qatar Airways continues to forge partnerships and expand its network, its investment in Airlink and the anticipated stake in RwandAir underscore the airline’s long-term vision of becoming a key player in Africa’s aviation landscape. With these moves, Qatar Airways is not only strengthening its foothold in the region but also playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of air travel across Africa.