Emirates Airlines is strengthening its footprint in Kenya as it seeks to take advantage of the growing trade ties between Nairobi and Abu Dhabi, supported by the Kenya–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and its ongoing collaboration with Kenya Airways.
Christophe Leloup, Emirates’ Country Manager for Kenya, said the trade pact has opened new doors for business, tourism, and investment, setting the stage for stronger economic relations between the two countries.
He noted that Emirates plans to enhance its air services to help Kenya position itself as a regional hub for trade and aviation.
“The CEPA is a major milestone between Kenya and the UAE. Both countries are looking to boost trade, business, and tourism over the next five years, and Emirates is playing a central role in facilitating those connections,” Leloup said during a media roundtable in Nairobi to celebrate the airline’s 30 years of operations in Kenya.
The agreement, which was signed last year, aims to promote investment and expand Kenya’s export base to Gulf nations by easing trade restrictions.
Leloup said Emirates is already playing a major role in that effort through its three weekly cargo flights between Nairobi and Europe.
In 2024 alone, the airline transported more than 16,000 tons of Kenyan flowers, as well as fruits, vegetables, and meat, to global markets.
Leloup said these numbers are expected to rise under the CEPA framework as more Kenyan exporters tap into growing demand in the UAE and the wider Middle East.
“Emirates is supporting Kenya’s export ambitions by connecting local producers to the world. We see Nairobi not just as a passenger hub, but as a growing cargo gateway into the Middle East, Europe, and Asia,” he said.
He also praised the ongoing partnership between Emirates and Kenya Airways, which was signed in 2023, noting that it has improved connectivity across Africa and beyond.
In the past two years, over 31,000 travellers have flown under the codeshare arrangement, with passengers from both airlines benefiting equally.
Through the partnership, Emirates passengers are able to reach destinations such as Rwanda, Malawi, Mozambique, and Burundi via Kenya Airways, while KQ customers use Emirates to connect to destinations in the U.S., China, Asia, and Europe.
“The partnership with Kenya Airways is strategic; it allows Emirates to reach destinations in Africa where we don’t operate directly, while giving KQ passengers seamless access to our global network of over 150 destinations,” Leloup explained.
He said the collaboration fits within Emirates’ broader vision for Kenya as the gateway to East Africa, adding that the airline plans to expand as passenger and cargo demand continue to rise.
Since launching flights to Nairobi in October 1995, Emirates has carried more than 6.6 million passengers and operated over 34,000 flights. The airline employs over 1,100 Kenyans globally, including 250 cabin crew and 40 pilots.
Leloup said Emirates remains committed to supporting Kenya’s tourism and economic recovery by linking the country to major source markets across Europe, the U.S., Asia, and Australia.
He further expressed support for Kenya’s move toward an open skies policy, saying the liberalisation of African airspace would benefit both travellers and airlines.
“Open skies provide opportunities for business and leisure, and help reduce the cost of travel. Emirates will remain a key player in connecting Kenya to the world,” Leloup said.
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