Kuwait-based National Aviation Services (NAS), one of the fastest-growing aviation services provider in emerging markets, has expanded in Kenya with a 51 per cent stake in Siginon Aviation Limited- a subsidiary of the Siginon Group.
The $40 Million acquisition aligns with NAS’s expanded focus on the cargo business is projected to strengthen the ground handling, ramp handling and cargo handling capabilities in the region, especially in East Africa.
“During the pandemic, our cargo services came to the forefront by keeping crucial supply chains flowing uninterrupted. With the ongoing vaccine requirements around the world, we also handled almost a million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine at different African airports.
With this growing demand, we expanded our focus on cargo management in Africa and the partnership with Siginon Aviation is indeed timely,” said NAS Group CEO Hassan El-Houry.
On its part, the Siginon Group expects the deal to strengthen its primary ground, ramp and cargo handling capabilities.
“We foresee great promise for business and growth for both, our staff and our customers through service delivery – now and into the future. This partnership is a true reflection of our mutual ambition to make a positive mark in service excellence, extend our footprint in Kenya and beyond as we jointly tap onto the opportunities present in the cargo and aviation sector,” said Siginon Group Managing Director Meshack Kipturgo.
Through this partnership, NAS has expanded its presence in Africa with two airports in Kenya – Nairobi and Eldoret. This adds to NAS’s growing network in Africa and strengthens its presence as the largest ground handler in the region.
In 2020, NAS successfully launched operations in 14 airports across South Africa, DRC, Guinea Bissau and Zambia.
