Qatar Airways and Kenya Airways have announced a major expansion of their strategic partnership with the launch of new codeshare flights to 19 global destinations, marking a significant advancement in air connectivity between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. This development builds on a recently signed partnership agreement, signalling both airlines’ strong intention to enhance access, convenience, and travel options for passengers worldwide. The expanded codeshare will officially take effect from 26 October 2025, with tickets available starting 21 October.

Under this enhanced agreement, passengers flying with Kenya Airways will gain streamlined access to Qatar Airways’ extensive global network via Hamad International Airport in Doha, including key destinations across Asia and the Middle East such as Bahrain, Singapore, Malé, Colombo, and Tokyo. Meanwhile, Qatar Airways passengers will now be able to connect to eight additional African destinations served by Kenya Airways, including Juba, Livingstone, Ndola, and Victoria Falls. This integration creates seamless travel corridors that support both business and leisure tourism while strengthening Kenya’s role as a gateway to Africa.

Senior executives from both airlines emphasized that this collaboration is not only an enhancement of air travel connectivity but also a catalyst for economic growth and global cooperation. With Qatar Airways recently adding a third daily flight to Nairobi due to rising demand, the partnership reflects strong confidence in Africa’s aviation and tourism potential. Kenya Airways is similarly poised to benefit from increased traffic, expanded global access, and the opportunity to offer even more competitive services to passengers.

The agreement also brings added value to loyalty programme members, as Qatar Airways Privilege Club members will now earn Avios on Kenya Airways-operated codeshare routes. In addition to passenger services, both airlines plan to deepen cooperation in areas such as cargo, airport operations, lounges, sustainability initiatives, and fleet maintenance. These efforts underscore a shared commitment to operational excellence and long-term strategic growth.

As leading carriers in their respective regions, Qatar Airways and Kenya Airways are aligning their networks to create a world-class travel experience that supports tourism, trade, and cultural exchange. With future phases of collaboration already planned, the airlines are setting new standards in aviation partnerships while contributing to the connectivity and prosperity of emerging markets worldwide.

Mi Vida Homes has announced a significant milestone with a management-led buyout from Actis, marking its transition to full local ownership for the first time since its establishment in 2018. The move positions Mi Vida as a fully Kenyan-owned real estate platform dedicated to delivering affordable and mid-market housing built to institutional standards. The value of the transaction remains undisclosed, pending regulatory approvals, but the announcement signals a major shift in Kenya’s residential housing landscape.

According to Mi Vida Chief Executive Officer Samuel Kariuki, the buyout underscores Africa’s growing capacity to develop and scale investment-grade housing platforms. He described the deal as the first of its kind in Kenya’s residential development sector and a testament to the continent’s ability to build institutional homebuilders that uphold the highest standards of ESG compliance and financial discipline. He further emphasized that the management consortium is now poised to accelerate Mi Vida’s growth strategy, supported by a robust balance sheet, diversified capital structure, and a strong project pipeline.

Actis Partner Louis Deppe highlighted that the transaction validates Actis’ long-term strategy of incubating, institutionalising, and transitioning successful platforms to local ownership. He noted that Mi Vida’s journey demonstrates the scalability and investability of Africa’s residential sector, driven by strong housing demand and deepening local capital markets. This buyout, he said, reflects a maturing ecosystem where homegrown businesses can attract global confidence while maintaining operational excellence and sustainability.

Ravi Rughani, Principal at Actis, added that the partnership has transformed Mi Vida into a solid, institutional-grade business with sound governance, a strong balance sheet, and a diversified funding base. He described the transaction as a clear indication of the institutionalisation of Africa’s real estate sector and Actis’ broader philosophy of building sustainable, scalable businesses that address local needs while creating long-term value.

The management buyout marks a new chapter for Mi Vida as it strengthens its position at the forefront of Kenya’s affordable and mid-market housing market. With a proven institutional framework, the company aims to continue attracting local investment and delivering sustainable housing solutions to meet Kenya’s growing urban demand. This development reinforces confidence in local capacity to drive large-scale housing projects that align with the country’s economic and social development goals.

Saudi Arabia’s leading low-cost carrier, flynas, has officially launched direct flights between Riyadh and Nairobi, marking a new chapter in air connectivity between Kenya and the Kingdom. Operating three times a week starting October 2, 2025, the route significantly reduces travel time from up to 16 hours to just under 4.5 hours. This strategic move is expected to boost trade, tourism, business travel, and religious pilgrimages, offering a faster, more affordable, and convenient travel option for both countries.

According to Waleed Alahmed, flynas Director of Corporate Communications, Nairobi stands as the beating heart of East Africa and the region’s largest economy, making it a key destination for flynas’ expansion strategy. The airline’s entry into the Kenyan market comes at a time when increasing numbers of Kenyans are traveling to Saudi Arabia for work, leisure, and religious purposes, while Saudis continue to show growing interest in exploring East Africa’s tourism and business opportunities.

The new service aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, an ambitious national plan aimed at diversifying the economy and enhancing global connectivity. Vision 2030 seeks to connect the Kingdom to 250 international destinations and attract 150 million tourists annually by the end of the decade. The Riyadh–Nairobi route also complements the Pilgrims Experience Program, which aims to make Hajj and Umrah travel more accessible and efficient for Muslims across the world.

Before the launch, travellers between Riyadh and Nairobi often had to connect through major Gulf hubs such as Dubai or Doha, resulting in long layovers and higher travel costs. The new direct route eliminates this inconvenience, offering point-to-point travel on the state-of-the-art Airbus A320neo aircraft with a capacity of 174 passengers. Flynas, recently awarded a 4-star APEX rating and recognized as the Best Low-Cost Carrier in the Middle East for eight consecutive years, plans to introduce promotional launch fares to encourage early bookings among Kenyan travelers.

The introduction of the Riyadh–Nairobi route is expected to stimulate tourism, enhance business partnerships, and deepen cultural exchange between East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. For Saudi tourists, Kenya’s diverse wildlife, scenic landscapes, and coastal attractions will become more accessible, while Kenyan business travelers and pilgrims will benefit from faster, cost-effective connections to Saudi Arabia. The new route not only strengthens bilateral relations but also positions flynas as a key enabler of economic and cultural growth across the region.