Category: Africa

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South Africa prepares to host landmark SADC Summit

Source: Government of South Africa

South Africa prepares to host landmark SADC Summit

South Africa is preparing to host the 46th Ordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit of Heads of State and Government later this month, with regional leaders expected to adopt decisions aimed at accelerating industrialisation, strengthening infrastructure development, enhancing food security and advancing regional integration.

The summit, which will be held in Durban on 17 August, will also see President Cyril Ramaphosa formally assume the SADC Chairpersonship for the 2026/27 term, marking South Africa’s leadership of the 16-member regional bloc at a time of growing geopolitical and economic challenges.

Briefing the media in Pretoria on Wednesday, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola said South Africa was honoured to host the summit under the theme: “Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Industrialisation through Infrastructure Development, Agricultural and Critical Minerals Transformation in Pursuit of a Just World”.

The summit process officially began this week with technical meetings at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre and will culminate in the Heads of State and Government Summit on 17 August.

According to Lamola, the summit follows a structured programme of technical, ministerial and political meetings designed to prepare decisions for adoption by Heads of State and Government.

The Standing Committee of Senior Officials will meet from 6 to 7 August to consider reports from sectoral structures before making recommendations to ministers.

This will be followed by the Finance Committee meeting on 8 August, where member states will consider the SADC budget, resource mobilisation and financial sustainability matters.

Between 9 and 11 August, officials will finalise documentation before the SADC Council of Ministers convenes from 12 to 14 August under Minister Lamola’s chairpersonship.

The Council of Ministers will consider recommendations from senior officials and deliberate on issues including industrialisation, infrastructure, regional trade, food security, health, peace and security, regional financing and institutional reforms.

The summit programme will also feature President Cyril Ramaphosa’s SADC Public Lecture on 14 August at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Westville Campus. The lecture is expected to stimulate dialogue on implementing SADC Vision 2050 and strengthening regional integration.

Regional peace and security will also feature prominently through meetings of the Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation on 15 August, followed by the Organ Troika Summit on 16 August.

Heads of State and Government are expected to arrive on 16 August ahead of the official summit opening and a State Banquet hosted by President Ramaphosa.

Focus on implementation

Lamola said preparations are centred on ensuring SADC decisions are more effective, measurable and capable of implementation.

Among the issues under consideration is strengthening the quality of Council and Summit decisions through improved monitoring and accountability mechanisms.

Member States will also consider a proposed framework for SADC Presidential Champions, which will see Heads of State champion priority regional development programmes including infrastructure development, industrialisation, agriculture, mining, resource mobilisation and social development.

Another key priority is advancing implementation of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030, which remains SADC’s primary development blueprint.

Key outcomes expected

The Minister said Heads of State and Government are expected to consider 47 decisions submitted through the summit process, although that number could change following deliberations during preparatory meetings.

Among the expected outcomes are:
•    Accelerating regional industrialisation and regional value chains; 
•    Strengthening infrastructure connectivity and transport corridors; 
•    Enhancing agricultural productivity and food security; 
•    Advancing beneficiation of critical minerals; 
•    Improving regional peace, security and stability; 
•    Strengthening resource mobilisation through the operationalisation of the SADC Regional Development Fund; 
•    Enhancing implementation and monitoring of SADC decisions; and 
•    Strengthening institutional effectiveness through the Rationalisation Mechanism and Presidential Champions Initiative.

Lamola said the summit presents an opportunity for member states to strengthen regional cooperation and pursue inclusive economic growth.

Migration to feature prominently

Lamola said South Africa would use the platform to articulate its approach to migration management while promoting greater regional cooperation.

He said government remained committed to managing migration in a lawful, orderly, humane and effective manner in line with the Constitution and South Africa’s international obligations.

Government’s approach includes strengthening border security, combating irregular migration, addressing the unlawful employment of undocumented migrants, improving enforcement of immigration and labour legislation and tackling corruption within migration systems.

South Africa will also encourage greater regional cooperation in addressing migration challenges while promoting stability, development and respect for human rights. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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South Sudan Oil & Power Returns as South Sudan’s Premier Investment Platform

Source: APO – Report:

South Sudan Oil & Power (SSOP) will return to Juba on November 24-25, 2026, reaffirming its position as the country’s official energy investment event and premier meeting place for stakeholders shaping South Sudan’s energy future. Fully endorsed by the Ministry of Petroleum, the seventh edition will convene senior government representatives, investors, international and national oil companies, financiers, service providers and development partners to advance investment across South Sudan’s energy sector.

Held under the theme “Resource Renaissance – Energy-Fueled Growth for a New Generation,” SSOP 2026 marks the return of the country’s flagship energy investment event at a pivotal moment for the industry. As South Sudan works to maximize the value of its natural resources, strengthen energy and export infrastructure and expand economic opportunities beyond the upstream sector, the conference will serve as a platform for securing the partnerships and investment needed to support long-term industrial growth, energy security and national development.

South Sudan’s oil sector is entering a new phase of recovery and investment, with production gains, renewed operational activity and infrastructure restoration driving momentum across the market. Operators are advancing field optimization and rehabilitation programs, with Greater Pioneer Operating Company recently recording its highest production in two decades at more than 60,000 barrels per day, while Sudd Petroleum Operating Company is pursuing production growth at Block 5A. Dar Petroleum Operating Company continues to expand activity across its producing assets. In March 2026, the company announced a discovery at the Al-Nahla field, improving production flows from Blocks 3 and 7.

Exploration represents another growth frontier for the country. While South Sudan holds up to 3.5 billion barrels of estimated reserves, approximately 90% of these resources remain undeveloped. The government seeks to raise these numbers by attracting investment across the entire oil value chain and facilitating greater exports.

With oil remaining the backbone of South Sudan’s economy, the government is prioritizing investment that sustains production growth, strengthens export resilience, develops local content and unlocks greater value across the energy value chain. SSOP 2026 will provide investors with direct access to South Sudan’s key energy stakeholders, including the Ministry of Petroleum, national oil company Nilepet and the country’s leading operators, while fostering engagement with African energy institutions and national oil companies, including South Africa’s South African National Petroleum Company, alongside the broader international investment community.

Building on the success of previous editions, SSOP has established itself as South Sudan’s leading platform for commercial engagement and strategic dialogue. The 2023 edition welcomed more than 600 delegates from 24 countries, including six government ministers, and resulted in five strategic agreements spanning upstream exploration, drilling capacity expansion, mining cooperation and regional energy collaboration. Bringing together stakeholders from across East Africa alongside partners from the U.S., China, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Egypt, Turkey and Norway, the conference reinforced South Sudan’s role as a regional investment destination and demonstrated its ability to translate dialogue into tangible commercial outcomes.

As South Sudan advances its long-term development agenda, SSOP 2026 will serve as a catalyst for new investment, strategic partnerships and regional cooperation. By bringing together government leaders, operators, investors and technology providers, the conference will help unlock the capital and expertise needed to transform South Sudan’s resource potential into lasting economic value.

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Taara and Liquid use light-beam technology to expand data center capacity to large enterprises in Lagos, Nigeria

Source: APO

Taara, a graduate of X, Google’s Moonshot Factory and a leader in high-speed, high-capacity wireless optical communication, today announced its continued collaboration with Liquid Intelligent Technologies (https://Liquid.Tech), a business of Cassava Technologies, a global technology company.

Taara has helped Liquid to quickly distribute high-capacity bandwidth from its points of presence at Africa Data Centres and other leading data centers in Nigeria to large enterprises within and beyond the reach of fiber, where traditional deployments can be costly, time-consuming, or operationally challenging, especially in areas where network outages caused by fiber cuts can take days to restore.

Over the last two years, Liquid has deployed nearly a dozen Taara links across Lagos to quickly serve high-speed connectivity to large local enterprises and improve network resilience across key commercial areas for local internet service providers, banks, hotels, and a utility company.

Nigeria is one of the largest economies in Africa, with some analysts reporting that the country’s economy is growing faster (https://apo-opa.co/4fX49AN) in 2026 than it has done in the previous five years. Lagos is the country’s largest and fastest-growing commercial hub, but expanding network infrastructure in dense urban environments can be challenging.

To meet growing enterprise demand, operators increasingly rely on a mix of technologies to extend coverage and increase redundancy. Liquid is using Taara’s technology to ensure improved proliferation of connectivity across the most difficult terrains in the country.

By using highly focused beams of light to transmit data through the air, Taara enables operators to establish links within days rather than weeks, helping accelerate customer deployments while complementing existing fiber infrastructure. Liquid is now exploring opportunities to expand the use of wireless optical communication into regions across Nigeria, including Abuja, Ibadan, and Kano.

“For Liquid, deployment speed has been one of the most significant advantages. Traditional fiber deployments aren’t always a possibility, especially across difficult terrains. Taara links can often be installed and activated within hours, allowing Liquid to ensure it is remaining true to its mission to create a digitally connected future that leaves no African behind,” said Eugene Uka, Acting Chief Executive Officer at Liquid Intelligent Technologies Nigeria.

“As demand for connectivity continues to grow, operators need more flexibility in how they expand and reinforce their networks,” said Bhavesh Mistry, Regional Lead for Taara in Africa. “Fiber remains an essential part of modern communications infrastructure, and will for some time, but there are many situations where deploying fiber quickly or cost-effectively can be difficult. Wireless optical communication gives operators another tool to extend capacity, reach customers faster, and build more resilient networks without compromising performance.”

Taara Lightbridge occupies a unique position between fiber and traditional radio-frequency solutions, delivering up to 20 Gbps of capacity across distances of up to 20 kilometers using narrow, invisible beams of light. The platform enables operators to rapidly deploy high-capacity links without trenching, spectrum licensing, or extensive civil works, helping bridge connectivity gaps that might otherwise remain unserved. Taara Lightbridge is currently deployed in more than 20 countries with operators including T-Mobile, Airtel, Digicel, Liquid, and SoftBank, helping extend and reinforce network capacity across urban, rural, remote, and hard-to-reach environments.

Read more in the case study (https://apo-opa.co/4fGlpLK). For more information about Taara, visit https://apo-opa.co/4gbnzmO.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Liquid Intelligent Technologies.

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Egypt: President El-Sisi Receives King of Bahrain His Majesty (H.M.) King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

Source: APO


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Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi will receive King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, during his visit to his second home, Egypt.

The visit aims to strengthen the deep-rooted fraternal bonds between the two countries. President El-Sisi and H.M. King Hamad bin Isa will hold talks focused on further deepening bilateral relations and strengthening the outstanding cooperation between Egypt and Bahrain across various fields. They are also expected to discuss the latest regional and international developments of mutual concern.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

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Défense et Sécurité : Le Bénin et le Nigéria intensifient leur coordination sécuritaire

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Le partenariat stratégique entre le Bénin et le Nigéria en matière de défense et de sécurité entre dans une nouvelle dynamique. Ce mardi 4 août 2026, le Ministre délégué auprès du Président de la République, chargé de la Défense Nationale, Monsieur Gildas AGONKAN, a accueilli à Cotonou une importante délégation nigériane conduite par le Ministre de la Défense, le Général Christopher GWABIN MUSA. Cette visite de travail s’inscrit dans la dynamique de renforcement des relations bilatérales entre les deux pays en matière de sécurité et de défense. 

À leur arrivée, les membres de la délégation nigériane se sont d’abord rendus à la caserne militaire de Togbin, où ils ont échangé avec les troupes nigérianes déployées au Bénin dans le cadre de la célébration du 66ᵉ anniversaire de l’accession du Bénin à la souveraineté nationale et internationale. Ils ont ensuite pris part à une séance de travail avec le Ministre délégué chargé de la Défense Nationale au siège du Ministère à Cotonou. 

● Renforcer la coopération face aux défis sécuritaires 

Au terme de la rencontre, le Ministre nigérian de la Défense, le Général Christopher GWABIN MUSA, a souligné les défis sécuritaires communs auxquels sont confrontés le Bénin et le Nigéria. « Nous sommes ici pour identifier les mécanismes les plus appropriés à mettre en œuvre afin de renforcer la lutte contre le terrorisme », a-t-il déclaré. Il a rappelé que la lutte contre ce phénomène exige une synergie d’actions entre les États de la sous-région, notamment le Bénin, le Nigéria, le Niger, le Burkina-Faso et le Mali. Il a également appelé les populations des deux pays à faire preuve de vigilance et à renforcer leur collaboration avec les forces de défense et de sécurité. 

Prenant la parole à son tour, le Ministre délégué auprès du Président de la République, chargé de la Défense nationale, Monsieur Gildas AGONKAN, a salué une visite qui traduit la volonté commune des deux États de consolider leur partenariat stratégique. Selon lui, cette coopération permettra de « fusionner les talents, les capacités et les efforts » afin de relever efficacement les défis sécuritaires. « Nos stratégies doivent être mutualisées pour qu’ensemble, avec les autres pays de la sous-région, nous puissions venir à bout de ce fléau qui freine le développement de nos nations », a-t-il affirmé, insistant sur la nécessité d’une action concertée pour priver les groupes terroristes de toute marge de manœuvre. 

Cette visite de travail témoigne de la qualité des relations de coopération entre le Bénin et le Nigeria ainsi que de l’engagement constant du Gouvernement béninois à renforcer les dispositifs de sécurité, dans une approche fondée sur la coopération régionale, la solidarité entre États et la préservation de la paix au bénéfice des populations.

Distribué par APO Group pour Gouvernement de la République du Bénin.

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Gabon: Arrivée du Chef de l’État en République de Côte d’Ivoire pour les festivités du 66ème anniversaire de l’indépendance

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


​Le Président de la République, Chef de l’État, Chef du Gouvernement, S. E Brice Clotaire OLIGUI NGUEMA, est arrivé ce jour à Abidjan, en République de Côte d’Ivoire, accompagné de la Première Dame, Madame Zita OLIGUI NGUEMA à l’occasion des festivités marquant le 66ᵉ anniversaire de l’indépendance de la République de Côte d’Ivoire.

À leur arrivée, le Couple présidentiel a été accueilli par Madame Nialé KABA, Ministre d’État, Ministre des Affaires étrangères de la République de Côte d’Ivoire.

Invité d’honneur de Son Excellence Alassane OUATTARA, Président de la République de Côte d’Ivoire, le Chef de l’État prendra part, le 7 août prochain, aux festivités officielles de l’indépendance, aux côtés de plusieurs Chefs d’État et de gouvernement du continent. Cette invitation témoigne de l’excellence des relations d’amitié, de fraternité et de coopération qui unissent le Gabon et la Côte d’Ivoire.

En marge des célébrations, le Président de la République effectuera plusieurs activités, notamment des rencontres avec la communauté gabonaise établie en Côte d’Ivoire, des visites de sites et de projets structurants, ainsi que des échanges destinés à renforcer davantage la coopération entre les deux pays.

Cette visite s’inscrit dans la continuité de la tournée diplomatique du Chef de l’État en Afrique de l’Ouest, après les étapes du Ghana, de la Gambie et de la Sierra Leone. Elle traduit sa volonté de renforcer les partenariats africains, de promouvoir le partage d’expériences et de faire de la diplomatie un levier de développement au service des populations gabonaises.

Distribué par APO Group pour Présidence de la République Gabonaise.

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Illegal initiation schools, deaths, top agenda of high-level SAPS meeting

Source: Government of South Africa

Illegal initiation schools, deaths, top agenda of high-level SAPS meeting

The Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia convened a high-level meeting with South African Police Service (SAPS) officials on Tuesday, to strengthen government’s response to the challenges associated with initiation schools.

The officials included the Acting National Commissioner of SAPS, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, the Deputy National Commissioners, Provincial Commissioners, Premiers and Members of the Executive Councils (MECs) responsible for Community Safety.

“The meeting follows the recent engagement convened by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa which brought together key stakeholders to address matters relating to illegal initiation schools, the tragic deaths of initiates and the role of government in preventing these incidents while safeguarding legitimate cultural practices,” the police said in a statement.

The Deputy National Commissioner: Policing, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, who also serves as the Chairperson of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), presented a comprehensive situational report detailing the number of initiation-related deaths, arrests effected by law enforcement as well as the number of registered legal initiation schools and those identified as operating unlawfully.

The meeting welcomed the presentation, noting that it provides a valuable operational picture that will inform targeted interventions by law enforcement and other government departments.

“Discussions that followed highlighted a number of operational and coordination challenges experienced across provinces.

“Provincial Commissioners emphasised the need for stronger coordination between government, law enforcement and all stakeholders responsible for regulating and overseeing initiation schools,” the police said.

Minister Cachalia noted the concerns and resolved that they will form part of the report to be submitted to the Minister of CoGTA.

The report will also include practical recommendations aimed at strengthening intergovernmental coordination and ensuring a more integrated approach to addressing illegal initiation schools and preventing avoidable deaths.

The meeting further resolved to enhance collaboration between provincial governments, the SAPS, traditional leaders and recognised initiation school leadership to improve compliance with applicable legislation, facilitate information sharing and strengthen enforcement efforts against illegal operators. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Empowered Women, Empower Nations: The Entrepreneurial Success of Zamafiso Mngomezulu

Source: Government of South Africa

Empowered Women, Empower Nations: The Entrepreneurial Success of Zamafiso Mngomezulu

By Lihle Nxumalo

The National Women’s Month launch, held at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban on 01 August 2026, celebrated the achievements of women who are shaping South Africa’s future through entrepreneurship and innovation. 

Hosted under the theme: “Empowered Women, Empower Nations”, the event was led by the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga.

A key highlight of the event was the vibrant EmpowerHer Trade Market, which featured women-owned businesses from across the country, showcasing their role in driving economic growth, creating jobs and strengthening local communities.

Among the standout exhibitors was Grasp Adhesive, a 100% black female-owned manufacturing enterprise founded by Zamafiso Mngomezulu. Operating in the construction sector, the company manufactures high-quality tile adhesive products that meet rigorous standards of durability, reliability and performance. Through innovation and an unwavering commitment to quality, Grasp Adhesive has established itself as a trusted supplier in an industry where women remain underrepresented.

Mngomezulu’s entrepreneurial journey reflects resilience, determination and a clear vision. She founded Grasp Adhesive with the ambition of demonstrating that women can excel in manufacturing and construction while producing products that compete with the best in the industry. Her dedication to quality and customer satisfaction has enabled the business to grow steadily, earning the trust of contractors, retailers and property developers.

A pivotal moment in the company’s growth came through funding support from Ithala Bank. The investment enabled Grasp Adhesive to expand its production capacity, enhance its manufacturing processes and strengthen its competitiveness within the construction industry. For Mngomezulu, Ithala’s support represented more than financial assistance, it was a strong endorsement of her vision and confidence in her potential as a business leader.

Beyond building a successful enterprise, Mngomezulu is passionate about empowering women and creating opportunities for young people in manufacturing. She believes that increasing women’s participation in the sector is essential to building a more inclusive and sustainable economy. Through her leadership, she continues to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women seeking to break barriers in industries traditionally dominated by men.

Zamafiso Mngomezulu’s story embodies the spirit of this year’s Women’s Month theme: “Empowered Women, Empower Nations”.  Through innovation, perseverance and strategic support from institutions such as Ithala Bank, she has built a thriving business that not only delivers quality products but also creates employment, contributes to economic development and demonstrates the transformative impact of investing in women-owned enterprises. – SAnews.gov.za

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Chikunga calls for women’s empowerment that transcends generations

Source: Government of South Africa

Chikunga calls for women’s empowerment that transcends generations

Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Lydia Chikunga has called for women’s empowerment that transcends generations, is institutionalised, and gives women the power to define their futures.

“Africa and the world [must] move from merely remembering women to building institutions that include women. Our responsibility is not only to honour the women who changed history – it is to ensure that the next generation of women has the power to define their own futures,” Chikunga said on Tuesday in Pretoria.

The Minister was speaking at the launch of the Portraits of Power Exhibition, which celebrates extraordinary women whose courage, leadership and contributions have shaped nations and inspired generations.

The exhibition takes place during Women’s Month, celebrated under the theme: “Empowered Women Empower the Nation,” and commemorates the 70th anniversary of the historic 9 August 1956 march by more than 20 000 women to the Union Buildings.

Chikunga emphasised that women must take their rightful place in all areas where decisions are made, and power is exercised.

“Especially decisions over the ownership, control and management of the wealth-producing resources of this land.  We must continue to ask difficult questions: Where are the women when budgets are allocated, when policies are designed, and when decisions about our collective future are taken,” Chikunga said.

She stressed that women’s participation must be institutionalised, not incidental.

“We must demand institutional commitment, not symbolic commitment. The true measure of our commitment to women is not the number of conferences we hold, or portraits we unveil. It is whether our institutions themselves change — whether women gain access to capital, education, leadership, technology, markets, and decision-making power,” the Minister said.

Chikunga said women must have access to education, financial support, networks and institutions that can turn ambition into influence — and influence into impact.

“We must make intergenerational inclusion mandatory. This initiative already creates a platform connecting international women leaders, diplomats, artists, students, and young women leaders. Let us institutionalise those connections. Every woman who has climbed the ladder must become part of building the ladder for someone else. Bring someone along,” she said.

The Minister said the women whose portraits were unveiled should not remain historical figures on walls.

“They must become symbols of hope, and of access. Their stories must enter our classrooms, our universities, our communities, and our conversations with young women — and opportunities must be materially realised in their honour.

“Let us leave this room with a personal responsibility. Leave here committed. Identify one young woman you will mentor. One door you will open. One institution you will challenge. One opportunity you will create. Because the most powerful portrait we can unveil is the portrait of the woman whose future we helped change,” she said.

The International Portraits of Power exhibition is a Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke Institute initiative presented in partnership with The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa and participating diplomatic missions.

It forms part of a series of legacy projects commemorating the 155th birthday anniversary of Mannya-Maxeke. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Emirates and South African Airways Expand Codeshare Partnership

Source: APO – Report:

Emirates (www.Emirates.com) and South African Airways (SAA) today announced an expansion of their codeshare partnership, enabling access to nine cities and establishing the start of a reciprocal codeshare agreement between both carriers. The expanded partnership opens more destinations across central and southern Africa, simplifying connectivity for customers.

Since launching their codeshare agreement, Emirates and SAA have operated on a unilateral basis, with SAA placing its code on Emirates-operated flights between Dubai and Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, as well as interline access to 68 Emirates destinations worldwide via Dubai. With regulatory approvals secured, the new agreement will see Emirates place its code on SAA-operated flights, extending its network deeper into South Africa and neighbouring countries.

The expansion covers nine new routes including three domestic South African links connecting Johannesburg with Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth, in addition to six regional routes linking Johannesburg with Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo), Gaborone (Botswana), Windhoek (Namibia), Lusaka (Zambia), Harare (Zimbabwe) and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe).

Emirates and South African Airways have been partners for almost 30 years, marking one of the longest partnerships in Emirates’ portfolio. Since 1997, millions of passengers have benefitted from the partnership, with frictionless, single-ticket travel. This extension to the codeshare underscores the ongoing commitment to providing greater access, convenience and choices to travellers from South Africa and neighbouring countries.

The move builds on Emirates’ longstanding commitment to providing reliable, consistent connectivity for passengers travelling to, from and within South Africa and the broader region. It also responds to strong demand for travel to South Africa from key international markets, particularly across Europe, while providing customers with greater access to destinations throughout southern and central Africa.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, said, “This reciprocal codeshare partnership with South African Airways is a natural evolution of a relationship that has served our customers well for many years. By placing our code on SAA’s domestic and regional network, we are opening up seamless access to destinations across South Africa and neighbouring countries, backed by the reliability and consistency our customers expect from Emirates. It reinforces our long-term commitment to South Africa and wider region, and our confidence in the continent’s continued growth.”

Matshela Seshibe, Acting Group CEO of SAA, said, “The expansion of our partnership with Emirates marks an important milestone in SAA’s strategy to strengthen connectivity across Africa while enhancing access to global markets. Through this reciprocal codeshare agreement, customers will benefit from a more seamless travel experience and greater choice across our combined networks. This partnership is about more than connecting destinations. It is about connecting people, businesses and opportunities across the continent and beyond. By combining SAA’s growing African network with Emirates’ extensive global reach, we are creating greater value for our customers and reinforcing Johannesburg’s role as a key gateway for travel, trade and tourism in Africa.”

Emirates in South Africa

Emirates has been flying to South Africa since 1995, starting with its inaugural flight to Johannesburg. Since then, the airline has scaled operations, increased frequencies and gateways to Cape Town and Durban and served over 20 million passengers to and from the market. Currently, Emirates operates 56 weekly flights across the three gateways. South Africa is also the only market on Emirates’ Africa network to receive all three widebody aircraft types: the Boeing 777, the Airbus A380 and the A350.

As part of its commitment to offering best-in-class products to travellers in South Africa, the airline’s award-winning Premium Economy experience is available on flights between Dubai and both Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Customers travelling on the new codeshare routes will benefit from convenient single-ticket bookings, coordinated schedules and through-checked baggage to their final destination.

Tickets can now be booked on www.Emirates.com, via travel agents or at Emirates’ retail stores.

– on behalf of The Emirates Group.

About South African Airways:
South African Airways (SAA) is the national carrier of South Africa, committed to delivering safe, reliable, and world-class air travel while contributing to the country’s socio-economic development.

With 92 years in the skies, SAA links domestic, regional, and international destinations. SAA flies from Johannesburg to Abidjan, Accra, Dar es Salaam, Durban, Cape Town, Gqeberha, Harare, Kinshasa, Lusaka, Lubumbashi, Lagos, Mauritius (from Johannesburg and Cape Town), Windhoek, Victoria Falls, São Paulo (from Cape Town and Johannesburg), and Perth.

Since first taking to the skies in 1934, SAA has grown to include a passenger airline, a cargo transport service, and related services provided through its wholly owned subsidiaries, SAA Technical (SAAT) and Air Chefs. SAAT delivers high-quality maintenance services, major airframe checks, engine overhauls, mechanical components, avionics, and line maintenance to SAA and third parties. Air Chefs provides in-flight, airline lounges, and other catering services to the airline and third parties.

About Emirates:
Emirates began operations in 1985 and has grown into one of aviation’s most awarded airlines. The world’s largest international airline as measured in revenue passenger kilometres RPKMs), it connects travellers to Dubai, and through Dubai to more than 150 destinations across six continents on the world’s largest fleets of Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s, alongside its newly introduced Airbus A350s. Emirates remains synonymous with service and product excellence at every touchpoint, from its award-winning cabin experiences and regionally inspired cuisine to its industry-leading inflight entertainment system, ice. Visit www.Emirates.com for more information

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