Welcome to the MICE Africa daily read for MICE Professionals doing business in Africa.
In today’s topics;
- Etihad Strengthens African Routes
- Nairobi Rolls Out BRT
- Uganda and Malaysia Boost Tourism Ties
Etihad Doubles Nairobi Flights, Expands Across Africa
Etihad Airways is strengthening its presence in Africa by doubling its flights to Nairobi, Kenya. Starting December 15, 2025, the airline will operate two daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, totaling fourteen flights each week. This follows a recent relaunch of the route, which had initially offered only four weekly flights with the Airbus A320.
The decision to expand comes after observing strong passenger demand, highlighting Nairobi’s rising importance as a business and tourism hub. Departures from Abu Dhabi will be at 08:45 and 02:05, with return flights from Nairobi at 13:50 and 07:15 respectively, offering travelers more flexibility in planning their journeys.
Beyond Nairobi, Etihad’s African strategy includes adding almost 50 flights across the continent by the end of 2025. New additions to their network include Tunis, Algiers, El Alamein, and Addis Ababa, the latter through a joint venture with Ethiopian Airlines aimed at boosting connections between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Further strengthening its African footprint, Etihad has formed a partnership with Air Seychelles, providing six weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Mahé. Services to Johannesburg and Casablanca are also being increased to daily routes, reflecting the growing importance of African markets in Etihad’s global network.
Nairobi’s BRT Finally Launches: Phase 1 Connects Dandora to KNH
Nairobi has officially launched Phase 1 of its long-anticipated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, a move aimed at reshaping urban mobility across the city.
The first route connects Dandora to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) along a newly set 12-kilometer corridor via Juja Road, offering scheduled buses, fixed fares, and a calm alternative to the informal matatu system.
Backed by €320 million in international funding for the larger Clean Core BRT Line 3, the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority pushes this initiative as a model of industry collaboration, with Transport PS Mohamed Daghar emphasizing the critical role of partnerships in its success.
Though earlier attempts at BRT faced hurdles, this launch signals a serious commitment to reducing traffic congestion and making Nairobi’s streets friendlier and more predictable for daily commuters. Future expansions plan to stretch service from Tala through Dandora to Ngong, further knitting the city together.
Uganda & Malaysia: Tourism Collaboration Takes Center Stage at Pearl of Africa Expo
Uganda and Malaysia are charting a new course for tourism collaboration, taking center stage at the recent Pearl of Africa Trade Expo held in Malaysia.
The focus of the discussions was clear — facilitating an exchange of over 5,000 tourists between the two countries by 2026 through stronger partnerships and smart use of digital platforms and AI tools.
Tuan Uzaidi Udanis of the Tourism Alliance of Malaysia emphasized the power of authentic local experiences, noting their role in creating lasting impressions and deeper visitor connections.
He pointed out how Malaysian tour operators could be key in introducing Uganda’s rich cultural and natural offerings to the Malaysian travel market, building a two-way bridge for tourism.
Robert Mukiza from the Uganda Investment Authority engaged the audience with insights into Uganda’s investment opportunities and the incentives available for international businesses.
Other voices from Uganda’s energy, tourism, and private sectors also contributed to the vibrant discussions, underlining the country’s readiness to welcome greater tourism engagement.
The expo wasn’t just about deals and dialogue — attendees also immersed themselves in Uganda’s spirited culture, from savoring traditional cuisine to dancing along with the lively rhythms of the lakaraka, bakisimba, and ekitagurro, while Malaysian performers showcased their martial arts dance.
The event closed on a note of optimism, affirming that collaboration between Uganda and Malaysia holds real promise for energizing their tourism industries.
That’s it for today.