In a landmark move for the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Kenya’s aviation sector, the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) has officially cleared the way for Çelebi Cargo GmbH to acquire 100% of the issued share capital of Transglobal Cargo Centre Limited (“Africa Flight Services”, “AFS”). Çelebi Cargo GmbH is a German subsidiary of the Turkish company Çelebi Aviation. A binding share purchase agreement was signed on October 25, 2025, for a total consideration of EUR 34.5 million (USD 40.1 million), and on January 21, 2026, the CAK issued an unconditional approval for the merger. This move marks Çelebi Aviation’s first direct entry into the African aviation services market.
The expansion into JKIA follows setbacks for Çelebi in India, where local authorities terminated concession agreements for nine airports in May 2025. The acquisition in Kenya is part of Çelebi ‘s broader international growth strategy to strengthen global synergies and fulfill an international growth strategy that spans Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
“Kenya’s JKIA is a key gateway for trade and cargo flows across East and Central Africa. By welcoming AFS into the Çelebi family, we are strengthening our commitment to this important market and creating new opportunities for our airline customers, partners and employees. Our aim is to combine AFS’s strong local expertise with Çelebi’s global experience, modern systems and operational standards to support Kenya’s ambitions as a regional trade and logistics hub.” – Dave Dorner, Group Chief Executive Officer of Çelebi Aviation.
CAK’s decision was based on a rigorous analysis of market competition and public interest. The CAK determined that because Çelebi Cargo had no prior business presence in Kenya, the acquisition would not change the existing market concentration. AFS’s current market share of 33% in exports and 20% in imports at JKIA will remain unchanged post-transaction. The Authority concluded the merger would have no negative impact on employment or the competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Source: CAK
Celebi to be Integrated to JKIA Network Post-acquisition
Furthermore, it was determined that the deal would not hinder the ability of national industries to compete in international markets. The CAK concluded that the transaction is not likely to substantially lessen or prevent competition and it aligns with the greater objective of establishing the merged entity as a leading provider of ground handling and cargo services in Africa.
The deal aligns with Kenya’s ambitions to become a regional trade and logistics hub in East and Central Africa. The Kenyan aviation market is projected to grow by an average of 5% annually over the next five years, which is significantly higher than the global average of 3.3%. Çelebi Cargo, which handles approximately 200,000 tonnes of cargo annually at Frankfurt Airport, will now integrate Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) into its global network.
This merger is expected to bring increased investment in facilities, equipment, and human resources, combining local expertise with Çelebi ’s global operational standards and modern systems. Çelebi Cargo has stated that all existing operational commitments and service levels will be honored, and any future infrastructure changes will be coordinated with relevant authorities and customers.
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