Etihad Airways has added six new international routes as part of a “significant expansion” of its African network and overall operations.
On April 17, 2026, Etihad announces it was adding new destination in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ghana, Nigeria and Zimbabwe from its base in Abu Dhabi.
The announcement comes just days after the UAE flag carrier said it will begin flying from Abu Dhabi to five Chinese cities: Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Shenzhen.
“Together, these developments position Abu Dhabi as a key gateway between Africa, India and Asia, enabling more efficient movement of goods, investment and people between two of the world’s fastest-growing regions,” said a spokesperson for Etihad.
Etihad along with other Gulf region airlines have been the among the companies most heavily impacted by the war in Iran, but its latest expansion efforts show that it aims to push on immediately with its growth plans.
Six new destinations. One incredible continent ✈️🌍
🇬🇭Accra, Ghana
🇪🇷Asmara, Eritrea
🇿🇼Harare, Zimbabwe
🇨🇩Kinshasa, DR Congo
🇳🇬Lagos, Nigeria
🇨🇩Lubumbashi, DR CongoThis is Africa, in full colour 🌍
Book now at https://t.co/CWJT5GwpvU#Etihad #BeyondBorders pic.twitter.com/CIWY2Et6WH
— Etihad Airways (@etihad) April 17, 2026
Etihad said that the new African routes align with growing economic ties between the UAE and Africa, with increasing trade, investment and commercial partnerships across sectors including energy, infrastructure, mining and logistics.
“These are markets with strong underlying demand, driven by trade, investment and population growth. Our role is to provide the connectivity that enables that growth. Demand for air connectivity across key African markets is outpacing existing supply, particularly in cargo and trade-linked sectors. This expansion is a direct response to that structural opportunity,” said Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways,
He added: “By extending our network alongside our recent China expansion, we are enabling a more efficient corridor linking Africa, the Middle East and Asia through Abu Dhabi. For passengers, this creates simpler, faster journeys. For cargo, it provides more direct and reliable access between two regions where trade is growing rapidly.”
The six new African destinations include Accra in Ghana, Asmar in Eritrea, Harare in Zimbabwe, Kinshasa and Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Lagos in Nigeria.
Discover more insight into African aviation, through AeroTime’s media partnership with AviaDev Africa
AviaDev Insight is the first podcast dedicated to the African aviation industry, created by Jon Howell, Founder and Managing Director of AviaDev Africa, Africa’s premier event dedicated to developing air connectivity.
