November 06, 2025
Thirty years after its first Nairobi flight, the airline is aligning its future here with Kenya’s export economy.
Emirates Airlines is ramping up its footprint in Kenya, but this time the spotlight is firmly on freight. With the Kenya–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) unlocking new trade corridors, the Dubai-based carrier is positioning Nairobi as a regional export gateway linking Africa’s agribusiness output to the Gulf, Europe, and Asia.
While the airline’s passenger growth continues, it is Emirates SkyCargo that is driving this new chapter. The airline’s country manager, Christophe Leloup, confirmed that Emirates plans to scale up dedicated freighter flights and belly-hold cargo operations out of Nairobi.
Last year, Emirates transported more than 16,000 tonnes of Kenyan flowers, alongside fruit and vegetables, a figure expected to rise sharply under CEPA. “Nairobi is no longer just a stopover; it’s a logistics bridge between Africa’s producers and the world’s buyers,” said Leloup.
Kenya’s horticultural exports depend heavily on airfreight. For every rose, avocado, or bean pod shipped, reliability and speed determine shelf life and profit margins. Emirates’ expansion aligns with that logistical need, offering exporters an alternative route through Dubai’s modern cargo hub, one of the world’s busiest perishable-handling facilities.
The airline already operates three weekly freighter services between Nairobi and Europe, complementing its daily passenger flights that also carry goods in the belly hold. The company now intends to increase that frequency as demand accelerates, particularly from floriculture and fresh produce exporters.
The CEPA pact between Kenya and the UAE, signed in 2024, aims to eliminate tariffs and simplify customs processes for key exports. This gives Kenyan produce, flowers, and meat faster and cheaper access to Middle Eastern markets.
For Emirates, the agreement translates into greater cargo volumes and new trade flows. Leloup noted that Emirates “is supporting Kenya’s export ambitions by connecting local producers to the world,” a signal that the airline’s future in Kenya will be defined as much by logistics as by tourism.
A crucial layer in this expansion is Emirates’ partnership with Kenya Airways. The 2023 interline agreement between the two carriers allows cargo and passengers to connect seamlessly across Africa, Asia, and Europe. This cooperation opens intra-Africa export lanes and lets Kenyan goods piggyback on Emirates’ 150-destination global network.
Through this alliance, exporters in Malawi, Rwanda, and Mozambique can ship products via Nairobi and Dubai to premium markets, an important step toward positioning Kenya as a continental logistics hub.
Air freight across Africa rose 8.5% in 2024, driven by e-commerce, perishables, and supply-chain diversification. Emirates’ strategy is to capture that growth while reinforcing Nairobi’s place on the global logistics map.
Industry experts believe Kenya’s competitiveness will hinge on expanding cold-chain infrastructure and airport cargo handling. Emirates’ planned investments could pressure local logistics providers and policymakers to improve turnaround times and cargo capacity at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Exporters’ Win
For Kenya’s exporters, Emirates’ growth could mean:
- More capacity during peak seasons, reducing congestion and delays.
- Expanded routes that shorten transit times to Europe and Asia.
- New value-addition opportunities, like shipping pre-packed bouquets or chilled processed produce.
- Greater bargaining power as more cargo carriers compete for Kenya’s export volumes.