Emirates has strengthened its African growth strategy by expanding its long-standing partnership with South African Airways (SAA), expanding its regional footprint across southern and central Africa through a new codeshare agreement designed to improve passenger connectivity, stimulate intra-African travel and support growing trade flows across the continent.
Under the expanded arrangement, Emirates will place its airline code on selected South African Airways-operated flights, enabling customers to purchase a single ticket for journeys spanning both carriers’ networks while benefiting from seamless baggage transfers to their final destinations.
The latest agreement extends Emirates’ network by adding nine destinations across southern and central Africa, strengthening its position in one of the continent’s fastest-growing aviation regions.
The additional destinations include South Africa’s key domestic routes linking Johannesburg with Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth, alongside regional services connecting Johannesburg to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gaborone in Botswana, Windhoek in Namibia, Lusaka in Zambia, Harare in Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls.
For Emirates, the expanded partnership reinforces its long-term commitment to Africa, a region where growing urbanisation, expanding middle-class incomes, stronger business activity and rising tourism continue to support increasing air travel demand.
The Dubai-based carrier has steadily expanded its African operations over the past three decades, positioning its Dubai hub as a major gateway linking African passengers to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia and North America.
Its partnership with South African Airways dates back to 1997, making it one of the airline’s longest-standing commercial relationships on the continent.
Over nearly three decades, the collaboration has enabled millions of passengers travelling from South Africa to connect seamlessly through Dubai to Emirates’ extensive global network.
The latest expansion significantly deepens that relationship by extending connectivity beyond South Africa into several important regional markets.
Passengers travelling under the revised arrangement will benefit from simplified travel planning through a single reservation covering both airlines’ flights, eliminating the need for separate bookings and reducing connection complexities.
The integrated baggage handling system will also allow checked luggage to be transferred directly to final destinations, improving passenger convenience while reducing transit delays.
Aviation experts note that seamless travel experiences have become an increasingly important competitive differentiator as airlines seek to attract both leisure and business travellers.
The agreement is also expected to strengthen Johannesburg’s position as one of Africa’s leading aviation gateways.
By improving onward connectivity from Johannesburg into neighbouring countries, the partnership reinforces the city’s role as a regional hub linking international traffic with southern and central African destinations.
Beyond passenger mobility, stronger regional air connectivity is increasingly viewed as an important enabler of intra-African trade, investment and tourism.
Improved aviation networks facilitate faster business travel, support regional supply chains and strengthen commercial integration at a time when African economies continue implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Business travellers, multinational corporations and exporters are expected to benefit from improved access to key commercial centres across the region.
The additional connectivity could also support tourism by making multi-destination African itineraries more accessible to international visitors travelling through Emirates’ global network.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer, said the expanded partnership would simplify travel for customers moving between southern Africa and international destinations while reinforcing the airline’s commitment to growing its African operations.
According to him, the agreement reflects Emirates’ continued confidence in the region’s long-term aviation potential and its strategy of expanding market access through strategic partnerships.
South African Airways also views the agreement as an important step towards strengthening its regional network following its restructuring and gradual return to growth.
Matshela Seshibe, the acting group chief executive officer, said the enhanced partnership would improve connectivity across Africa while providing travellers with broader travel options.
He noted that stronger airline cooperation would support tourism development, facilitate business activities and further establish Johannesburg as a leading continental aviation hub.
The expansion comes as African aviation enters a new phase of recovery and growth, with airlines rebuilding international networks following several years of industry disruption while adapting to changing passenger preferences and competitive market conditions.
Strategic partnerships have become increasingly important as carriers seek to maximise network efficiency, improve aircraft utilisation and generate additional passenger traffic without significantly increasing operating costs.
As demand for international travel continues to recover, airlines are increasingly prioritising partnerships that improve connectivity while enhancing customer experience.
With Emirates currently serving Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban directly, and South African Airways operating an extensive regional network that includes Lagos, Accra, Kinshasa, Lusaka, Harare, Windhoek, Mauritius, São Paulo and Perth, the expanded agreement significantly broadens travel opportunities for passengers across Africa and beyond.
