Visa and Kenya Airways have announced a strategic partnership to launch co-branded credit and debit cards, a move aimed at deepening digital payment adoption in the airline sector and offering new perks to travelers.

• The agreement will see the two companies roll out cards that integrate travel-related rewards with everyday spending, including points that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other services.
• Cardholders will also gain access to benefits such as priority boarding, lounge entry, and increased baggage allowances.
• While framed as a customer experience upgrade, the initiative also signals a commercial pivot by Kenya Airways, which has been seeking new streams of ancillary revenue amid ongoing financial pressures.

“We are excited to join forces with Visa to deliver modern digital payment options that improve every step of the journey, from booking to boarding. This partnership reflects our shared goal of transforming travel with technology, and we look forward to providing great value to our customers worldwide,” Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial and Customer Officer, Kenya Airways, said.

For Visa, the partnership provides a foothold in East Africa’s travel and fintech crossover space, where mobile-first consumers are driving a shift in how payments are made. The card program is expected to go live later this year. Kenya Airways and Visa will manage distribution and user onboarding jointly, targeting frequent flyers as well as new customers seeking bundled travel and payment solutions.

“This co-brand agreement reflects our commitment to enhancing the customer experience and promoting the adoption of digital payments in the travel industry,” Chad Pollock, Vice President and GM, Visa East Africa said.

Though the cards come with travel-related promotions and discounts, the long-term impact will likely depend on adoption beyond elite travelers, especially in a region where cash still dominates many everyday transactions.

Both companies are entering a competitive space. Local banks, fintechs, and global payment providers are already targeting travel-related spending through mobile wallets, airline partnerships, and buy-now-pay-later offers.

Source: Kenyawallstreet.com

The Zambian Minister of Tourism, Honorable Rodney Sikumba, held a meeting with the Chairman of the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA), Dr. Joseph Kithitu and Nicanor Sabula – CEO, to discuss strategic collaborations aimed at boosting travel and tourism between Kenya and Zambia.

During the meeting, both parties explored opportunities to enhance outbound tourism from Kenya to Zambia, addressing key challenges such as visa regulations, border restrictions and the need for a seamless travel experience across Africa.
Minister Sikumba emphasized the importance of a unified approach to regional travel, stating, “Africa’s tourism industry has immense potential, but we must work together to make travel across the continent easier and more accessible.”

He also called on the private sector to invest in airport infrastructure, accommodation and health facilities to boost the tourism experience.
Kithitu says KATA aims to drive initiatives that enhance regional travel by advocating for better aviation policies, best practice, expanding tourism offerings beyond traditional safari and wildlife experiences and facilitating stronger business-to-business linkages between Kenyan and Zambian travel agencies.

KATA and the Zambian Ministry of Tourism have been engaging in high-level discussions to strengthen bilateral tourism partnerships. This visit builds on a previous meeting in Nairobi in June 2023, where KATA hosted a Zambian delegation led by Minister Sikumba to explore new strategies for marketing Zambia as a prime destination for Kenyan travelers.

KATA CEO, Nicanor Sabula, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting tourism growth in Zambia, stating, “Our members are ready to collaborate with Zambian stakeholders to promote the country as a leading travel destination. Strengthening air connectivity and tourism infrastructure between our two nations will be key to unlocking new opportunities.”

The partnership aims to diversify tourism products beyond traditional safari and wildlife experiences, exploring unique attractions in both countries. By leveraging visa-free access and liberalizing the aviation industry, the collaboration seeks to make air travel more affordable and accessible, thereby boosting tourist flows.
This initiative aligns with the broader objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), aiming to enhance intra-African travel and economic integration. Both Kenya and Zambia are poised to benefit from increased tourist traffic, cultural exchange and strengthened economic ties resulting from this partnership.

Source : Zambia Ministry of Tourism