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Kenya Airways becomes the first African Airline to fly on 50% sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) amidst continental efforts towards greener Air travel.
The flight from Nairobi, Kenya to Cape town South Africa used fuel produced from hydro processed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) derived from feedstocks such as used cooking oil and other waste materials. When produced and applied directly, HEFA-based fuels can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85% compared to conventional jet fuel.
Kenya Airways (KQ) and Qatar Airways (QR) have announced a new codeshare agreement set to launch on October 26, 2025, enhancing connectivity across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and beyond. Building on their July memorandum of understanding, the partnership initially covers 19 destinations, with plans for further expansion to support seamless travel for business and leisure passengers alike.
Qatar Airways' Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori, noted that the collaboration marks significant progress and reinforces both airlines' commitment to growing their presence in Kenya and across Africa. Kenya Airways' Chief Commercial and Customer Officer, Julius Thairu, added that the agreement will unlock new routes and elevate the travel experience through enhanced connectivity and service integration.
As part of the partnership, Qatar Airways Privilege Club members will earn Avios on Kenya Airways-operated flights. The two airlines also plan to deepen cooperation across airport operations, lounges, sustainability, procurement, network development, cargo, and aircraft maintenance.
The much-anticipated Kenya Travel Industry Business Awards (KeTIBA) Gala Dinner is making its grand return on Friday, 5th December 2025, at Emara Ole-Sereni, Nairobi. Organized by the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA), the event promises to be bigger, bolder, and more inspiring as it celebrates the visionaries shaping Kenya's dynamic travel and tourism landscape.
Held under the theme "Celebrating Excellence and Elevating Standards in Travel," the 2025 KeTIBA Gala Dinner will bring together leaders, innovators, and stakeholders from across the travel ecosystem to honor outstanding achievements, resilience, and innovation within the sector.
The Government of Rwanda, through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), has unveiled an ambitious plan to double its earnings from the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, targeting US $224 million by 2028.
The update was shared on October 18, 2025, during the Rwanda–Senegal Sports Tourism Forum in Kigali, which brought together leaders from both countries to explore how sports and tourism can drive sustainable economic growth and investment.
The initiative aligns with Rwanda's National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) 2024–2029, which prioritizes tourism diversification, sustainability, and innovation as key drivers of economic growth. Rwanda's capital, Kigali, continues to position itself as a leading regional hub for international conferences, supported by world-class infrastructure such as the Kigali Convention Centre, improved air connectivity, and a strong government commitment to promoting business events and tourism.
The recent ITB Asia 2025 convention in Singapore marked a significant milestone for the African tourism sector, with event organizers confirming the largest-ever presence from the continent. The event, held in late October 2025, reflected a clear trend of increasing African engagement in the crucial Asian travel market.
The combined participation from the Africa and Central Asia regions registered an impressive growth of more than 50% compared to the previous year, highlighting a strong commitment from African nations to diversify their tourism source markets and attract a larger share of Asian travelers.
"Africa's record presence at ITB Asia 2025 marks a pivotal moment for its MICE industry, signaling growing confidence, coordination, and readiness to compete globally. The continent is now shaping its own narrative, showcasing improved infrastructure and innovation while building international partnerships."
This momentum is driving investment, regional collaboration, and new opportunities that position Africa as an emerging powerhouse in the global business events landscape.
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