Çelebi Aviation enters Kenyan market with US$40M acquisition of Transglobal Cargo Centre Ltd
The handler stated that the move into Kenya marks “a key milestone in its expansion across Africa” and reinforces “its focus on high-potential regions.”
KENYA – Turkey-headquartered ground handler Çelebi Aviation has entered the Kenyan aviation and air cargo market through a 100% acquisition of Transglobal Cargo Centre Ltd, known as Africa Flight Services, for US$40.1 million in January.
Located at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the facility provides ground handling, air cargo, and warehousing services, positioning Çelebi to leverage Kenya’s status as East Africa’s primary logistics hub.
The handler stated that the move into Kenya marks “a key milestone in its expansion across Africa” and reinforces “its focus on high-potential regions.”
Additionally, the expansion signals confidence in the region’s aviation potential and supports the company’s ambition to deepen its presence on the continent.
For stakeholders in the fresh produce sector across East Africa, this acquisition directly improves supply chain infrastructure. JKIA is the primary export gateway for Kenyan horticulture, destined for European and Middle Eastern markets.
Çelebi Aviation previously held a concession agreement for ground handling and cargo services at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, which ran from March 2021 until this year.
The company stated that it “opted not to continue operations in the country” and “focus on markets that offer sustainable, long-term opportunities” for growth.
Therefore, the strategic shift from Tanzania to Kenya highlights Kenya’s advantages: larger cargo volumes, a more established horticultural export industry, better infrastructure, and stronger connections to European and Middle Eastern markets.
For logistics investors across Africa, Çelebi’s move signals that capital is flowing towards hub markets with scale and stability.
The acquisition also suggests that JKIA’s upcoming master plan expansion, including a second runway and a dedicated cargo precinct, is attracting international investment ahead of completion.
Further, Çelebi stated that it continues to prioritize markets where it can leverage its global expertise to drive efficiency, service quality, and long-term value creation.
Çelebi’s entry into Kenya intensifies existing ground-handling competition, which typically improves service levels and pricing for airlines and cargo customers.
As Çelebi integrates Africa Flight Services into its global network, Kenyan horticultural exporters may gain access to new trade lanes through the handler’s international partnerships.
The multi-million-dollar investment follows Çelebi’s exit from Tanzania, reflecting a strategic pivot towards markets with higher growth potential and more stable operating environments.
For fresh-produce businesses, efficient cargo handling at JKIA directly translates into better fruit quality upon arrival in European and Gulf destinations.
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