As one of the world's emerging production hubs, Qatar has become a key trading partner for Africa, a continent where consumption levels have increased sharply in recent years.

Qatar Airways Cargo launched yesterday, Wednesday 3rd May, its first African cargo hub in Kigali, Rwanda, in collaboration with RwandAir. The Doha – Kigali route will be operated by a Boeing 777, twice a week.

“Qatar and Rwanda have long-standing bilateral trade agreements, with Qatar Airways and Qatar Investment Authority having previously invested in Kigali International Airport and RwandAir. It was therefore logical for Qatar Airways Cargo to support RwandAir in its cargo ambitions,” said Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar Airways.

This step is part of the perspective of later expanding its African air freight network and achieving economic growth forecasts of 3% to 5% per year for this service on the continent over the next decade.

Since March 2023, Qatar Airways Cargo has been operating an intra-African service between Kigali and Lagos 3 times a week, as well as a weekly service from Istanbul to Kigali via Doha. Currently its cargo division serves nearly 28 African cities, transporting up to 2 tonnes to and from the continent.

Ecofin Agency