Kalonzo: Kenya’s strategic geographical location underutilized asset

He said challenges such as excessive taxation on aviation services are hindering Kenya's ability.

by JAMES MBAKA

Realtime22 February 2025 - 13:34

In Summary

The Air Cargo Africa Exhibition, a premier event in the transport and logistics sector, attracted over 2,000 visitors from more than 50 countries.
The three-day event, co-hosted by the Kenya Airports Authority, is being held at the Sarit Expo Centre.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has said that Kenya’s strategic geographical position between Asia, Europe, and the Americas remains an underutilized asset.

The former vice president made these remarks while engaging with local, regional, and international exhibitors at the Air Cargo Exhibition in Nairobi.

Kalonzo noted that his interactions with exhibitors at the Sarit Centre on Saturday reinforced the idea that Kenya is not fully leveraging its potential as a regional hub.

"I was delighted to attend and connect with exhibitors at the Air Cargo Exhibition today at the Sarit Centre in Nairobi. This was the first time the exhibition was hosted in Kenya," Kalonzo said on X.

"My discussions with numerous exhibitors—local, regional, and international—made it clear that Africa, and particularly Kenya, has an underutilized strategic advantage due to its geographical location between Asia, Europe, and the Americas."

He pointed out that challenges such as excessive taxation on aviation services, inconsistent regulations, and complex customs procedures hinder Kenya’s ability to maximize its position as a logistics hub.

"We all agreed that these bottlenecks can be overcome with visionary, innovative, honest, and dedicated leadership," he said.

Kalonzo also thanked the event organizers, Robin Fernandes, Karim Khoha, and Shivanshu Srivastav, for inviting him to witness firsthand the opportunities for growth, collaboration, and industry consolidation.

The Air Cargo Africa Exhibition, a premier event in the transport and logistics sector, attracted over 2,000 visitors from more than 50 countries. Over 60 exhibitors and brands showcased the latest innovations in air freight solutions.

The three-day event, co-hosted by the Kenya Airports Authority, is being held at the Sarit Expo Centre.

Africa’s air cargo sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is expected to boost intra-African trade by 25 per cent and increase transport demand by 50 per cent

Industry giants such as Kenya Airways Cargo, Astral Aviation, Ethiopian Airlines, and South African Airways joined global players including Emirates SkyCargo, Lufthansa Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo, Etihad Cargo, and Turkish Airlines Cargo.