Category Archives: TIA

KQ & DRC

This was a significant week for Kenya Airways and its regional flight partnerships. Their JamboJet subsidiary started flights to Goma, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). JamboJet also resumed flights to Lamu on Kenya’s coast after four years.

Then Kenya Airways handed over two Embraer 190’s in a wet-lease to state-owned Congo Airways. This means it will be operated by Kenya Airways staff. The airline also launched a direct cargo flight between Lubumbashi and Johannesburg South Africa

In November 2020, KQ launched a Southern Africa cargo service, operating freighter flights from Johannesburg to Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Harare (Zimbabwe) Lilongwe (Malawi) Lusaka (Zambia) and Maputo (Mozambique) Previously all freighter flights would have to operate through Nairobi.

The cargo business is still low but its significance will grow as passengers traffic is not expected to pick up for at least another year. Now Lubumbashi has been added to the KQ Southern Africa cargo network.

Twitter Business Voices from every African Country

Compiling a list of African voices on @Twitter who write about business with a bias to residents who live in the countries and actively tweet or write about finance, economics, investments, technology and other similar business topics.

Diaspora (marked as ‘d’), and government (marked as ‘govt’) writers are included and marked accordingly, but this is not to de-emphasise their ability to create authentic unique local content. There is also a  bias for people who tweet in English, and for individuals, not media or financial organizations, but these are not criterions for selection or exclusion. Feel free to suggest other names in the comments, by country, and to complete the gaps.

  • Algeria @omarelmohri (d), @eTabib3
  • Angola @CaipLounge @isabelaangola @MwangoBrain
  • Benin @yacinebtchane @ariahouansou
  • Botswana  @Emma_Wareus @SiyandaWrites @BogoloKenewendo (govt), @JacoBank, @MapulaTThema
  • Burkina Faso @bachirismael (govt), @ocomar @D_REAUX
  • Burundi @ThierryU(d) @mKabeya
  • Cabo Verde @pedrolopesCV @tonedepina
  • Cameroon @africatechie @mankangwafo @dibussi @Mimimefo237 @dibussi
  • Central African Republic @harleymckenson
  • Chad @andreaskoumato
  • Comoros
  • The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) @congofriends (d), @Ley_Uwera @Noellacc @sindika_dokolo @Bizzoly @AxamFaysal
  • Congo @officialHanifa
  • Cote d’Ivoire @nnenna? @nanaspio? @Laureenolsson @edithbrou @VictorOladokun @CandaceNkoth @kajenny @fayelle1 @ourmaninafrica @Naboufall
  • Djibouti @Ilyasdawaleh (govt), @samabdiosman
  • Egypt @Gsquare86 @tchibota_fleur @G_Hammouda @Ibrahimsagna @naglarzk
  • Equatorial Guinea @GabrielObiang (govt), @Ameugn @CesarAbogo(govt) @OscarBerniko @NchasoOscar
  • Eritrea @MesMehary(d), @MagdaBerheJ @tekerebanelim
  • Ethiopia @Zemedeneh @Kalkidafrique @deldeyoch @Mekmz @PreciseConsult @addisale @BethlehemAlemu @MuradAIssa @addis_fortune @GetachewSS ‏@EleniGabre @FlawlessinET @betelhem_dessie @iCog_Labs
  • Gabon @Isdimak @caro_enilorac @prjeanping  @agueminia @mays_kinga @gloriamika @LenhSean
  • Gambia @fatimaj_j, @TheJamaJack @haddijatoujonga @Fatushow @maimuhyai
  • Ghana @MacJordaN @ekbensah(d) @EFYA_Nokturnal @ethelcofie(d)  @anasglobal @ragyare
  • Guinea @diene_keita @MohamedKagnass1
  • Guinea-Bissau @raulcabr @Aimonia_2
  • Kenya @alykhansatchu @coldtusker @RookieKE @MainaT
  • Lesotho @mpolo_masenkane @BillyNtaote @charlesfogelman @Frank_Mothibe @Sthunya
  • Liberia @AxelAddy @kenyakate
  • Libya @MaryFitzger
  • Madagascar @lrakoto
  • Malawi @chiume @rachelsibande
  • Mali @KamissaCamara (govt), @Si_Duchatelet
  • Mauritania @azizachom @ahmed8687
  • Mauritius @mosesharding @azizachom
  • Morocco @bidrissi @Startup_Morocco @MarieMarieNelly @helenranger
  • Mozambique @clubOmozambique @Casa_Barry @sandragaveta
  • Namibia @KalondoMonica @Nashilongo @estelletjipuka @Dillish_lishy
  • Niger @Aalyel @AmindehBlaise @SouleyMoutari
  • Nigeria @PaulWallace123 @NaijaFlyingDr @eggheader @toluogunlesi @tosinolaseinde @JasonNjoku @nonso2 @chikaoduah @elnathan_john @venerableladyB @OlufemiAwoyemi @BankyW @markessien @DrJoeAbah @LindaIkeji @toluogunlesi ‏@NuhuRibadu @eggheader @biolaa1 @rolakeakinkugbe @_yemia
  • Rwanda @LucyMbabazi @cakamanzi @DKarusisi @YolandeMakolo @RwandAnFlyer(d) @Fionambabazi1 @YvonneMakolo @Julio_Bizimungu @Contact_Makeda @mwasa @kayizarica  @TravelRwanda @MichaellaRu. Also President @PaulKagame, and in Rwanda, virtually all top government officials tweet as well.
  • Sao Tome and Principe
  • Senegal @AliouneSambGR(d), @gayeadama000, @babacarjdiop(d), @MameKharyDIENE1 @kadediha @YannLeBeux @SSowsp
  • Seychelles President @DannyFaure (govt), @ronny_jumeau @FinesseMf @SeychellesTrade @BarryFaure (govt), @SeyInvest
  • Sierra Leone @UmaruFofana @IamIshaSesay(d) @memuna @VickieRemoe @KYumkella @dsengeh (gov), @sherriphie
  • Somalia @Fatumaabdulahi, @DrBeileh (govt), @omar_degan
  • South Africa @MichaelJordaan @alechogg @RanjeniM ‏@TheSoloWandera @PhutiMahanyele @ThuliMadonsela3 @Sentletse @ElanaAfrika @christopherM @rafiq @thando_mgqo @aishapandor
  • South Sudan @siinchol
  • Sudan @NesrineMalik (d), @YousraElbagir (d), @MagnusGTaylor (d)
  • Swaziland / Eswatini @LeendorM, @MantoeP, @AmogelangMbatha
  • Tanzania @CRBarretto @joachimm3 @moodewji @Arden_Kitomari @zittokabwe @Makambas (d), @carolinekere, @iMashibe @AnnieTANZANIA @MsigwaGerson (govt), @JMakamba (govt) @MikocheniReport @aeyakuze
  • Togo @Farida_N, @cinalawson(govt), @CarlManlan @sename_
  • Tunisia @benyeoma @Rana_J01 @nanaspio @SultanWalid
  • Uganda @KigoziMaggie @UgInsomniac @whthome @echwalu @ssanyaug @tufre80 @whthome @RosebellK @jssozi @Ruthaine
  • Zambia @Muloongo @MissZambia @mulumba @missbwalya @monicamusonda @GNdhlovu @ictjournalist @cholamukanga @lukonga
  • Zimbabwe @TrevorNcube, @MthuliNcube (govt), @SirNige @VascoDaGappah @elishabuffet

Another Ethiopian Airlines Dreamliner First

Last week, Ethiopian Airlines welcomed a new Dreamliner model, the Boeing 787-900 at their base in Addis Ababa. Group CEO Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, said “Our investment in latest technology aircraft such as the 787 and (Airbus) A350, which makes us among the very few airlines in the world to simultaneously operate these two most cutting edge airplanes, is part and parcel of our Vision 2025”

The strategic plan consolidates seven business units including maintenance & repairs, cargo, training, hotels and ground services at the airline which has registered 25% annual growth over the last seven years.

Ethiopian currently has 92 aircraft with 60 on order, and operate from three hubs in Africa (Addis, Lome, Lilongwe) flying to 100 destinations on 5 continents. The fleet includes 20 Boeing 787-800 which have 271 seats, and the new  Boeing 787-9, which is 20 feet longer than the 787-8, will carry 315 passengers and has more cargo space.

Ethiopian was the first airline outside Japan to operate the Boeing 787 in 2012 and also the first African airline to operate the Airbus A350 in 2016. There has been discussion about the diverse fleet at the airline with some expectation that ultimately their long-haul fleet of the future will comprise Boeing 787’s and Airbus A350’s.

Guide to Togo and Benin

A guest post from a media gathering trip to these two French-speaking countries that lie between Ghana and Nigeria.

Getting There: Took Ethiopian Airlines – Nairobi – Addis – Lome, then by car to Cotonou and then back to Addis and Nairobi. Ethiopian flies to both countries. Initially, I had set my trip to go into and out of Lome, but changed it mid-trip. The expense for the change was significant, but I assume it would have been minimal if I had done it that way upfront. The round trip cost was $750 plus $350 for the change.

On arrival: Arriving in Lome was easy, but the visa on arrival (American passport) was a bit of a pain of a process and wait. There was a list of the cost for every country in the world, except America and of course mine was much more than any listed. It was 10-20,000 CFA for most countries, while the US one was 27,000. I paid in USD cash, but they had to exchange it for CFA. It’s better to pay in CFA I’m sure.

Getting around: I had private transport the whole time. In both Togo and Benin, the massive majority of people move via private motorcycle. There are many bodas for hire as well. A few matatu type transportation as well and the rare taxi car for hire. The large buses were for transport to other towns and the small minivan was not seen on the highways between towns. There did not seem to be much foot traffic like you have in Nairobi. Cars and bikes were not fighting for space and everything seemed to flow smoothly.

Benin: Walking around my hotel was safe. It is next to the airport and it seemed that many of the government offices and embassies were around, so the security was higher. Many of my local friends have been pick-pocketed on the streets, but violence doesn’t seem to be as common as in Nairobi.

Togo seemed very safe overall. The crowds were smaller. A slower pace of life.

Staying in touch: It was very easy to get a local SIM card, much like in Kenya. Costs were very comparable. I forget the network in Togo, but I’m using MTN in Benin. I don’t recall if I could use Safaricom, I didn’t even try. I have not tried calling internationally on either network. Wi-Fi seems to be common, but the speeds vary a lot and the network is down often. I suspect it’s a problem with the ISP more than the local network. In Togo, my colleague’s wife happens to work at the office of the mobile company. I provided my passport and she gave me a SIM card. In Benin, a friend purchased the card for me, but I suspect it only required a copy of my ID to obtain it.

Where to Stay: I think the median cost is $60. I started at a place that cost $25 without breakfast that was a rat hole. I moved to a western level of accommodation for $80 with breakfast. All the hotels I stayed in, no matter how nice, always had AC & Wi-Fi.

The electricity was surprisingly good. I honestly don’t recall a single power cut, but I’m sure they happened. Most of the hostels had a generator.

Eating Out: Foo Foo is a staple somewhat similar to ugali. It’s wet and slimy and has more flavour to it, but fermented, like Ethiopian injera. Some forms have a lot more flavour than others with cassava being a common ingredient. No clue on the beer, but easy to get everywhere, as is French wine, even upcountry.

No clue with bar conversation is – it’s also all in French. French is a must. I had a variety of hosts with me the whole time. The only English I found was the little spoken by the staff in the hotel. I very much doubt there is a local English paper.

Shopping: In Benin, there is a very small market in front of a very nice supermarket next to the airport. It seems the majority of gifts are cloth-based. I did see some very unique, artistic metalwork. Of course, there is also the standard wooden animals. I was told there is another market, but I was not able to attend.

In Togo: I was taken to a small market with maybe a dozen stalls with a wide variety of items. For the most part, pretty similar to what you find in Kenya. There was one guy selling silver jewellery, like what you find in Ethiopia.

Sightseeing: In Togo,  there is the main museum next to their national monument, but I didn’t have time to visit. The beach is incredible, but only locals use it. There doesn’t seem to be any structured area for tourism.

In Benin, the interior mountains are incredible sites to see, massive slabs of granite, there is a very famous sighting of Mary in Dassa. A very large church has been built there and every year massive numbers of West African Catholics come for a special service and ceremony. The church is only used for this event. I’m told that the town comes to a standstill. The church could probably hold over 10,000 people and I was told the grounds outside are completely covered in standing room only. I imagine over 25,000 people attend.

Card usage is extremely rare, even for nice restaurants. Food costs vary from $1 (roadside) to $20 (nicest restaurant) for a meal. CFA is used in both Togo & Benin everywhere.  I used an ATM everywhere. They were found all over town. I used CFA for everything.

Odd Points: Partial buildings: West Africa’s way of saving money is to build their homes and churches over many years as money comes. Sadly, I have seen in rural Burkina Faso many, many ruined homes never finished. What a waste. But, from what I saw in Togo and Benin, most everything is eventually finished.

My hosts were rarely forthcoming with information and did not seem like problem solvers. I was constantly having to suggest solutions and pointing out gaps. I am not sure if I was missing culture cues or perhaps a lot was happening in the language that I was not picking up on. I appreciated that the roads seemed significantly safer.

Biggest surprise:  The road structure. There are beautiful, nice main roads, and then dirt. Nothing in between. This seemed mostly true in both countries. Many roads in both countries were not paved but made from interlacing bricks. Black market fuel seems to be very big in both countries. It’s not as obvious in Togo, but it’s done very openly all over Cotonou, and it’s half the price compared to the pump.

Guide to Kinshasa

A guest post by @Cathkemi on a visit to Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Getting There: I used Kenya Airways for Entebbe – Nairobi – Kinshasa; The cost was about $900-1,000 but booked at the last minute.

On arrival: Clearing was very easy at the new efficient airport. But leaving is a hassle. You have to pay $55 worth of taxes to leave, and there are endless checks.

Getting around: Public minibus taxis are popular in the city centre. Luckily I got around with the office car, rides from colleagues, and taxis. Walking around is generally secure depending on where you are. But at night need to be extra careful. You can’t just stroll around, and you need to be extra careful about which taxis you get into.

Staying in touch: I used my Ugandan line and it was very expensive. Both local and international calls are all expensive.

Where to stay: Not sure, as I haven’t stayed in a hotel. Most tourists stay in the up class neighbourhood of Gombe. Or near the UN mission HQ. It has nice restaurants and bars etc. though is expensive. Electricity is not very reliable; our office is in an upper-class neighbourhood but power can cut out several times a week. You need a generator there.

Out & About: The main dishes are fufu with meat, fish, vegetables etc. It’s basic but can be tasty depending on who makes it. Beers are easy to get. Not sure how much but should be around $3-5 and Tembo is the most popular one.

You need some level of French to get around. Not a lot of people speak English. Politics are a major discussion point as the  DRC is in a political crisis, with the President not stepping down after his two terms in office running out.

Shopping & Sightseeing: The nightlife would be the main sightseeing. Lol. Also going to restaurants, hotels etc. by the Congo River. Most people will tell you Goma in the East is the main tourist destination, and many people buy African print material as gifts to take back.

Dollars are the easiest currency to use. They are accepted everywhere – even for phone credit.

Biggest surprise in the country: Houses are very small – housing is cramped my guess is because the city is overcrowded. There is not a lot of outdoor space.

But in richer neighbourhoods, the opulence is astounding. Also, national buildings are extremely big, as are their avenues. Bigger than anything else I’ve seen on the continent. My friends tell me it’s because DRC is a big country so it’s translated into national buildings – which makes sense, and this gives you an idea of how big the country is even if you don’t travel out of Kinshasa.

Also, see a guide to Bukavu, which is on the other end of the vast DRC.