Etihad Airways. Photo: kamilpetran / Shutterstock.com Etihad Airways has strengthened its presence across Africa after signing three partnership agreements with carriers in Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Ghana during July, laying the groundwork for broader connectivity across the continent.
The Abu Dhabi-based airline announced that it has finalized an interline agreement with Zimbabwe's Fastjet, an interline partnership with Nigeria's Air Peace, and a Memorandum of Understanding with Ghana's Africa World Airlines.
Together, the agreements will significantly expand Etihad's footprint in Africa, allowing passengers to connect beyond the airline's own network as it prepares to launch six new African destinations announced earlier this year.
The first agreement was signed with Fastjet Zimbabwe earlier in July, extending Etihad's reach into Southern Africa ahead of the carrier's planned flights to Harare. This was followed by an agreement with Air Peace, Nigeria's largest airline, signed in Lagos on July 22, giving Etihad customers access to 20 destinations across Nigeria, West Africa, and Central Africa.
Two days later, Etihad signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Accra-based Africa World Airlines. The agreement outlines plans for cooperation across codeshare services, interline travel, cargo operations, and loyalty programs.
The partnerships are part of Etihad's broader strategy to position Abu Dhabi as a key gateway linking Africa with India, Asia, and the Middle East.
"Africa is one of the fastest-growing aviation regions in the world, and this month we have moved quickly to grow with it," said Arik De, Etihad Airways' Chief Commercial and Revenue Officer.
"Three agreements in July, each shaped to its market: the reach of Fastjet in Southern Africa, the breadth of Air Peace's network and the depth of a strategic framework with Africa World Airlines. When our new African routes take off, the partner network behind them will already be in place."
The expansion builds on Etihad's existing strategic joint venture with Ethiopian Airlines and follows the airline's announcement in April of six new destinations across Africa.
The timing also reflects growing economic ties between the United Arab Emirates and African nations, including the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed between the UAE and Nigeria in January 2026.
Once implemented, the new partnerships will allow travelers to book itineraries that combine Etihad and partner airline services, offering more seamless journeys across West and Southern Africa from the moment Etihad's new routes begin operations.