MSC strengthens Africa intermodal connectivity. (Image source: MSC)

MSC is drawing attention to the scale and reach of its intermodal logistics solutions across Africa, illustrating how the integration of rail, road and port infrastructure is reshaping inland cargo movement

By extending connectivity well beyond coastal ports, MSC is helping customers access critical hinterland markets with greater reliability, efficiency and control.

Intermodal transport has become a cornerstone of resilient supply chains across the continent. By reducing transit times, improving schedule predictability and strengthening links between landlocked economies and global trade routes, integrated inland solutions are responding to a growing need for dependable connectivity. MSC’s expanded intermodal offering is designed to meet this demand, providing customers with flexible, end-to-end transport options that support long-term planning and operational stability.

Abidjan–Ouagadougou: A strategic rail corridor

The first feature in the series focuses on the rail corridor linking Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, one of West Africa’s most active trade routes. Stretching approximately 1,150–1,260 km between the Port of Abidjan and Ouagadougou, the rail connection offers a reliable inland alternative to road transport, helping to ease congestion and create more consistent cargo flows.

Serving key sectors including agriculture, FMCG, mining and temperature-controlled cargo, the corridor enables customers to move goods inland with greater security and predictability. Through MSC’s intermodal network, shippers benefit from stable inland-to-port connectivity, improved transit time consistency and the confidence to plan operations year-round.

Building value across Africa’s key trade lanes

Beyond the Côte d’Ivoire–Burkina Faso rail link, the series will highlight other corridors where MSC’s intermodal solutions are delivering measurable value for customers.

In Cameroon, the focus turns to cargo flows supported by Kribi Port and improved trucking routes, which are strengthening access to inland markets and streamlining trade connections.

Across South Africa and Namibia, MSC’s trucking network is enabling dependable cross-border transport, with particular emphasis on reefer cargo supported by the Durban reefer warehouse, ensuring temperature integrity throughout the journey.

In Kenya, the spotlight follows agricultural exports from origin to port, offering a full view of how MSC’s integrated inland network supports a seamless land-to-port logistics chain.

Together, these corridors reflect MSC’s commitment to building predictable inland transport solutions that reduce operational complexity, enhance supply chain visibility and connect African markets more efficiently to global trade.

The MoU provides a framework to explore investment and development opportunities across ports, logistics services, maritime operations, and digital trade infrastructure. (Image source: AD Ports Group)

AD Ports Group is expanding its strategic footprint in Africa with a new partnership aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s maritime and trade sectors

In a high-level meeting attended by his excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, advisor, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, managing director and group CEO of AD Ports Group, discussed opportunities to enhance trade, shipping, logistics, and port operations across Nigeria.

Following the discussions, AD Ports Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. The agreement establishes a framework to explore collaborative investment and development initiatives in ports, logistics services, maritime operations, and digital trade platforms, reflecting a shared vision for modernising Nigeria’s maritime ecosystem and boosting regional and international trade connectivity.

The MoU was officially signed by Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of Marine and Blue Economy of Nigeria, and captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi.

Speaking on the occasion, minister Oyetola said, " This MoU represents an important step in advancing Nigeria’s Marine and Blue economy agenda. By partnering with an internationally experienced group such as AD Ports Group, we aim to explore opportunities that can strengthen port efficiency, logistics connectivity, maritime services, and digital trade infrastructure, while supporting sustainable economic growth and positioning Nigeria as a leading maritime hub in Africa. "

" Nigeria is a cornerstone of Africa’s maritime and trade landscape, with significant potential across the ports and logistics sectors," commented captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi.

"This MoU reflects our shared ambition to explore long-term, sustainable development opportunities that support Nigeria’s economic growth, trade competitiveness, and job creation, in line with the directives of our wise leadership. AD Ports Group brings international expertise across integrated ports, logistics, maritime services, and digital trade solutions, and we look forward to working closely with our Nigerian partners as we assess areas of mutual interest. "

The MoU comes at a time of growing significance for Nigeria’s ports and maritime sector. AD Ports Group already maintains investments in Egypt, Tanzania, Angola, and the Republic of the Congo, contributing to trade integration and economic development across Africa.

The agreement also aligns with the recently signed UAE–Nigeria Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which aims to reduce tariffs, remove trade barriers, and encourage investment in sectors such as technology, agriculture, energy, and logistics. Non-oil trade between the UAE and Nigeria reached US$4.3bn in 2024, a 55.3% increase compared to 2023, highlighting the expanding economic ties between the two nations.

According to BMI, Nigeria’s real GDP growth is projected to rise from 4.1% in 2025 to 4.3% in 2026, marking the fastest expansion in four years. This sustained growth reinforces Nigeria’s position as one of sub-Saharan Africa’s fastest-growing economies and underscores the country’s attractiveness for strategic investments in ports, logistics, and maritime infrastructure.

UAE logistics leader Al Sharqi Shipping expands into Kenya and Uganda, digitising trade across East Africa

UAE-based logistics firm Al Sharqi Shipping has officially expanded into Kenya and Uganda, creating a dual operational footprint aimed at digitising and accelerating trade between the UAE and Africa’s high-growth markets

Strategic gateway and hub approach

The expansion targets the full logistics value chain in East Africa:

• Kenya (Nairobi): Leveraging the UAE-Kenya Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Nairobi will serve as the primary coastal gateway for cargo entering the continent.

• Uganda (Kampala): The Kampala office will act as a critical transit hub for the Great Lakes region, managing on-carriage logistics to landlocked markets, including Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Infrastructure and capabilities investment

Al Sharqi is building local capabilities in both countries to ensure full end-to-end control of operations:

• Customs Acceleration: Proprietary workflows to efficiently navigate Kenya and Uganda’s regulatory frameworks.

• Cross-Border Trucking: Dedicated fleets to secure the complex Mombasa-Nairobi-Kampala corridor.

• Supply Chain Visibility: Real-time tracking of goods moving from Dubai to Uganda’s interior.

"This is not just an expansion; it is a commitment to the future of UAE-Africa trade," said Kashif Rafiq, CEO of Al Sharqi Shipping.

"While the UAE-Kenya CEPA provides the regulatory framework, the logistics reality requires boots on the ground across the border. By establishing a direct presence in both Nairobi and Kampala, we are securing the entire trade lane, ensuring reliability for importers in both key markets."

Etihad Airways marks 20 years of nonstop flights between Abu Dhabi and Johannesburg, strengthening travel and trade

Etihad Airways is celebrating a major milestone in Africa as it marks 20 years of nonstop flights between Abu Dhabi and Johannesburg

Johannesburg remains one of Etihad’s longest-standing gateways on the continent and a strategically significant market within the airline’s rapidly expanding global network.

Since the route launched in 2005, Etihad has transported nearly two million passengers between the UAE and South Africa, strengthening cultural, business, and tourism ties between the two nations. In 2025 alone, the airline carried more than 100,000 guests on the route, reflecting sustained demand and the ongoing importance of Johannesburg within Etihad’s network.

Today, Etihad’s services to Johannesburg provide nonstop access to Abu Dhabi, along with seamless onward connections to the Middle East, Europe, North America, the Indian Subcontinent, and Asia Pacific via Zayed International Airport. Beyond Abu Dhabi, passengers travelling from Johannesburg can continue to key destinations such as Jeddah, Istanbul, Mumbai, Bangkok, and Phuket, highlighting the route’s role as a gateway to Etihad’s global network. The route is further supported by Etihad’s growing partnerships across Southern Africa, enabling smoother connections within the region.

“Johannesburg has played an important role in our African network for two decades. The strong performance we continue to see both in passenger demand and corporate travel highlights the long-term relationship between the UAE and South Africa, and the value Etihad brings in enabling trade and tourism. Africa remains a key pillar of our global strategy, and we are proud to continue supporting this dynamic market as part of our wider Journey 2030 ambitions,” said Javier Alija, vice-president global sales & distribution at Etihad Airways.

Expanding Etihad’s footprint across Africa

The Johannesburg milestone coincides with Etihad’s broader growth across Africa. The continent continues to demonstrate strong travel demand, supported by a growing population of international travellers and deepening economic and cultural ties with the UAE.

Etihad’s network developments reflect this momentum, with new services launched in the past year to key African gateways including Tunis, Addis Ababa, and Nairobi. Established connections to destinations such as Casablanca and Cairo continue to perform strongly, benefiting from access to Etihad’s expanding global network.

The airline’s strategic partnership with Ethiopian Airlines further extends its reach across Africa, offering passengers improved connectivity to a broad range of destinations beyond Etihad’s own network.

Corporate travel momentum

The Johannesburg route continues to see strong performance from the corporate segment, with corporate revenue in 2025 rising more than 50 percent year-on-year. This growth is supported by robust UAE–South Africa economic ties and Abu Dhabi’s increasing position as a global business hub.

As it celebrates 20 years in Johannesburg, Etihad remains committed to deepening its presence across Africa through enhanced services, broader partnerships, and an expanded network to meet rising demand across the continent.