Kuwait-based aviation services firm,
National Aviation Services (NAS), has earmarked some $50 million
investments for Africa over the next three years.
National Aviation Services (NAS), has earmarked some $50 million
investments for Africa over the next three years.
Mr. Hassan El-Houry, the Group chief
executive officer of NAS revealed this at the fourth Ground Handling
International Stakeholders’ Conference taking place in Kigali.
executive officer of NAS revealed this at the fourth Ground Handling
International Stakeholders’ Conference taking place in Kigali.
NAS is arguably the largest ground handling company in Sub-Saharan Africa with operations in more than ten countries.
The company’s portfolio of services
involve airport lounge management, warehouse facilities at airports and
airport technologies provision, among other
involve airport lounge management, warehouse facilities at airports and
airport technologies provision, among other
The decision to invest $50 million in Africa, the executive said, is commercially driven.
This reflects the opportunities NAS has always said lie within Africa’s growing aviation sector.
“We are investing both in existing
operations as well as new operations. We are seeing more potential in
emerging markets and we are committed,” he noted.
operations as well as new operations. We are seeing more potential in
emerging markets and we are committed,” he noted.
Rwanda is among other African countries where the firm operates. It manages Kigali International Airport’s
business class lounge.
business class lounge.
Rwanda was NAS’s launch-pad into Sub-Saharan Africa.
“It was around 2011 that we said we want to look at Africa.
“We had targets for the 54 countries but
we wanted to start somewhere. We asked ourselves if we should start in
South Africa, Nigeria or Egypt. After studies, we said we are going to
start in Rwanda,” El-Houry said.
we wanted to start somewhere. We asked ourselves if we should start in
South Africa, Nigeria or Egypt. After studies, we said we are going to
start in Rwanda,” El-Houry said.
In Rwanda, the company is building and developing two more airport lounges.
The new investment commitment could benefit Rwanda’s operations and perhaps support the firm’s expansion strategy. .
The Group CEO told The New Times that
they were working on more plans for Rwanda, including airport technology
project, which he did not divulge.
they were working on more plans for Rwanda, including airport technology
project, which he did not divulge.
Generally, NAS wants to enhance its
operations in countries like Abidjan where it handled about 3.5 million
passengers, in Morocco where it manages about 18 lounges, as well as
other countries like Tanzania, Egypt, Liberia, Uganda,
and Cote D’ivoire.
operations in countries like Abidjan where it handled about 3.5 million
passengers, in Morocco where it manages about 18 lounges, as well as
other countries like Tanzania, Egypt, Liberia, Uganda,
and Cote D’ivoire.
Expert say the investment will drive
growth of the continent’s aviation sector, which is projected to expand
by 6 per cent every year.
growth of the continent’s aviation sector, which is projected to expand
by 6 per cent every year.
