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Emirates SkyCargo charts flightpath into 2026, following a milestone year

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Emirates

Emirates SkyCargo (www.Emirates.com) wraps the year with a clear roadmap to success in 2026, following significant investment in enhancing its fleet and network, forging new strategic partnerships, reshaping the digital landscape and launching all-new products over the last 12 months. As the cargo arm of the world’s largest international airline, Emirates SkyCargo is on track to seamlessly connect the globe, keeping goods flowing quickly, reliably and efficiently.

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo, “In 2025, we built the runway for what comes next. We strengthened the core pillars of our business by expanding our network and innovating with our product portfolio and operations to deliver what our customers need today – and tomorrow. 2026 is set to be a pivotal year for our fleet expansion, with the expected delivery of up to 10 Boeing 777Fs by December, fuelling our next era of growth. This influx of capacity unlocks opportunities for network and scheduling expansions, offer more flexibility to scale our solutions and enable us to deliver even greater value across our global network.”

STRONGER FLEET, WIDER NETWORK, BIGGER IMPACT

At the start of the year, the first of Emirates SkyCargo’s Boeing 777Fs were delivered with another two in the following months, allowing the airline to retire older aircraft and deliver on its commitment to operate one of the youngest fleets in the sky. The fleet currently stands at 11 Boeing 777Fs and 5 wet-leased Boeing 747s. The first Emirates’ passenger aircraft entered the conversion programme, with the view to start operations as a fully-fledged freighter in 2026. By the end of next year, Emirates SkyCargo aims to operate a fleet of at least 21 freighters, adding significantly more cargo capacity to current operations.

Delivering on its long-term vision to add more freighter destinations to its network, in 2025 the airline launched freighter services to eight new destinations: Copenhagen, Narita, Bangkok, Mumbai, Beirut, Conakry, Phnom Penh (KTI) and Hanoi, while high-volume destinations such as Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Johannesburg were better served with additional weekly frequencies. The recently launched Hanoi was swiftly bolstered to a four-weekly service, to cater to the demand. As of year’s end, Emirates SkyCargo reaches 42 global destinations across six continents with freighter services.

Throughout 2025, Emirates SkyCargo strengthened its network of over 180 global interline partners, inking new agreements to expand its global footprint. In February, the airline signed with Africa-based Astral Aviation and then in April, with Southeast Asia’s Teleport, to create seamless connectivity into primary, secondary and tertiary airports in two regions that are burgeoning with trade opportunities. The airline continues to reinforce its existing strategic partnerships with global airlines such as Air Canada, United and Virgin Atlantic, to reach every corner of the globe.

FUTURE-FIT OPERATIONS

Even as Emirates SkyCargo draws up plans for its all-new facility at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), it continued to invest in its current operations to deliver peak performance. The airline upgraded its on-road fleet by taking delivery of 40 Euro 6 trucks from MAN Trucks, bringing the latest low-emissions and driver-centric technology to the region. By Q1 2026, the fleet will be bolstered with the delivery of five hydrogen-powered trucks, marking a key milestone in the company’s gradual transition to alternate fuel vehicles.

2026 is set to be a pivotal year for our fleet expansion, with the expected delivery of up to 10 Boeing 777Fs by December, fuelling our next era of growth

Exploring next-gen cargo delivery solutions, Emirates SkyCargo and LODD Autonomous (http://apo-opa.co/4pjXXFz) will collaborate on the development and feasibility of VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) aircraft for first and last mile delivery throughout 2026.

The rise in digital bookings – coupled with the decline in manual bookings – continued to grow throughout the year, as more customers opted for seamless and efficient processes. By December 2025, almost 80% of all shipments on Emirates SkyCargo are booked digitally, driven predominately by eSkyCargo, and followed by the third-party digital marketplaces where the airline is present and direct customer API integrations. Digitising other critical cargo processes, Emirates SkyCargo become the first carrier in the region to adopt PayCargo’s solution, introducing instant payments via credit card or direct debit, as opposed to the traditional and inefficient cash transactions. Looking ahead to 2026, the airline will explore further enhancements to its digital toolbelt, such as adding new features and products that refine the customer journey.

SOLVING TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES WITH NEW PRODUCTS

Emirates SkyCargo remained airline of choice for all types of shipments – from moving over 14,600 beloved family pets to transporting the first ever prototype of the Koenigsegg supercar to Mille Miglia in the UAE.

2025 saw the landmark launch of Emirates Courier Express (http://apo-opa.co/4jt51i0), the airline’s door-to-door delivery solution, that sets new benchmarks in cross-border delivery. Within months, the solution had already scaled to launch in Australia and Germany, with a roadmap of upcoming launches into the world’s largest economies throughout 2026. To date, the solution has delivered over 50,000 packages with an average delivery time across its network of 3 days, and an average of 1 day between the UK and UAE.

Harnessing the technical expertise of its team, Emirates SkyCargo launched the Aerospace and Engineering (http://apo-opa.co/3NcKEJJ) vertical, featuring an optimised AOG (http://apo-opa.co/4jyC3xm) service and an all-new Aircraft Engines (http://apo-opa.co/4qFzwUe) offering, meticulously balancing speed and security into specialised solutions. Emirates SkyCargo has recorded a 100% increase in the movement of individual engines, compared to the same time period last year, with demand continuing to grow – something the airline will be better placed to serve with the future aircraft deliveries. Earning its stripes, the airline transported Arab Satellite 813 from Al Ain to Shanghai, showcasing the new vertical’s precision, care and reliability.

Fresh (http://apo-opa.co/4qFI51p), dedicated to the movement of food, flowers and other perishables and the airline’s biggest vertical by tonnage, grew by 10% uplifting an additional 25,700 tonnes in comparison to 2024 – the equivalent of 275 million apples. As the UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Agreements (CEPAs) come into effect, the airline will continue to keep perishables moving from farm to table in as little as 24 hours.

With the burgeoning global demand for critical and personalised patient treatments such as clinical trials or cell and gene therapies, Emirates SkyCargo recorded a 54% increase in volume on Vital (http://apo-opa.co/4qEI91c), the airline’s dedicated white glove service for the most sensitive pharmaceutical shipments. Emirates SkyCargo continues to invest in its infrastructure, technology and processes to reinforce its reputation as an undisputed market leader in the life sciences and healthcare vertical, moving 2,000 tonnes of pharma every week.

The increased volume of mobile phones and other personal electronic devices being manufactured in Vietnam and India drove a 30% uptick in the airline’s Secure (https://apo-opa.co/4qDTXRt) solution. Emirates SkyCargo met the demand with a mixture of freighter services and SEA-AIR (http://apo-opa.co/4qFI65t).

Emirates SkyCargo continues to set benchmarks for excellence in global logistics. In 2026, the airline will build on this strong foundation to deliver on its long-term strategy which includes doubling its current capacity, adding 20 new freighter destinations to its network and shaping the future of the industry with smart, digital-first products and services.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Emirates Group.

 

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Africa Launches the First Pan-African Pact for Insurance Inclusion

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9 hours ago

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June 23, 2026

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400 decision-makers gathered in Cotonou to accelerate access to insurance and contribute to doubling insurance penetration by 2040

DAKAR, Senegal, June 23, 2026/APO Group/ –Faced with a major paradox representing nearly 19% of the world’s population while accounting for less than 1% of global insurance premiums African insurance stakeholders are mobilizing.

 

From July 6 to 8, 2026, the Federation of African National Insurance Companies (FANAF) will organize the General Assembly on Insurance for All at the Sofitel Hotel in Cotonou, Benin, a major pan-African gathering dedicated to inclusive insurance.

The event will bring together nearly 400 African decision-makers from governments, regulatory and supervisory authorities, insurance and reinsurance companies, financial institutions, development banks, technical and financial partners, as well as professional organizations from across the continent.

The ambition is clear: to foster a shared vision and concrete commitments aimed at accelerating access to insurance for African populations while strengthening the sector’s contribution to the continent’s economic and social development priorities.

The discussions will culminate in the adoption of the Pan-African Pact for Insurance Inclusion and a 2026–2030 Strategic Action Plan, designed to structure collective action around an ambitious objective: contributing to the doubling of insurance penetration across the FANAF region by 2040.

An Economic, Social and Development Imperative

Within the CIMA zone, insurance penetration remains below 1% of GDP, compared to more than 6% globally.

As a result, millions of households, farmers, entrepreneurs, SMEs and informal sector actors remain deprived of essential protection mechanisms against health, climate, economic and social risks.

For FANAF, this reality now constitutes a major development challenge.

Africa cannot build sustainable growth without strengthening protection mechanisms for its populations, businesses and investments

“Africa cannot build sustainable growth without strengthening protection mechanisms for its populations, businesses and investments. The Cotonou General Assembly must mark the starting point of a new continental ambition for African insurance and its role in the continent’s economic transformation,” said Mamadou Koné, President of FANAF.

Beyond Insurance: A Driver of Continental Transformation

For FANAF, insurance is no longer merely a risk coverage mechanism. It is also a strategic lever for economic resilience, savings mobilization, investment security, SME financing, support for climate transitions and the strengthening of financial inclusion.

Through this General Assembly, FANAF seeks to reposition insurance as a key stakeholder in Africa’s economic, social and financial transformation.

A Pact to Accelerate Action

The conclusions of the General Assembly will lead to the adoption of the Pan-African Pact for Insurance Inclusion, a reference framework intended to mobilize governments, regulators, market players, financial institutions and development partners around shared objectives.

The Pact will be accompanied by a 2026–2030 Strategic Action Plan defining priority intervention areas, coordination mechanisms and monitoring arrangements for the commitments undertaken.

A broad mobilization of public, private and financial partners will support its implementation in order to translate commitments into tangible results for African populations and economies.

Cotonou 2026: Building a Shared Vision

Beyond the insurance sector, the General Assembly aims to create an unprecedented platform for dialogue between governments, regulators, investors, financial institutions, technical partners and market actors in order to identify the levers needed to accelerate insurance inclusion across the continent.

Holding this event in Benin reflects the country’s broader economic and financial transformation momentum and illustrates the collective determination of African stakeholders to develop solutions tailored to the continent’s realities.

Through this initiative, FANAF intends to make Cotonou 2026 a defining moment for the future of African insurance and the starting point of a lasting continental mobilization in favor of insurance inclusion.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Fédération des Sociétés d’Assurances de Droit National Africaines (FANAF).

 

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Flat6Labs and International Finance Corporation (IFC) Launch StartAlgeria, a Capacity-Building Program Designed to Empower the Organizations Progressing Algeria’s Startup Ecosystem

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June 23, 2026

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StartAlgeria comes at a key moment for Algeria’s entrepreneurship landscape, shifting the focus toward improving how the ESOs operate by providing them with international best practices

ALGIERS, Algeria, June 23, 2026/APO Group/ –Flat6Labs (www.Flat6Labs.com) and IFC in collaboration with the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Startups and Micro-Enterprises are launching StartAlgeria, a capacity-building program that puts Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) at the forefront of Algeria’s ecosystem future. The program is designed to equip Algerian ESOs reinforcing pre-seed and seed-stage startups with the expertise, frameworks, and networks needed to contribute to a stronger, more competitive entrepreneurship ecosystem in Algeria and expand into global markets.

 

StartAlgeria comes at a key moment for Algeria’s entrepreneurship landscape, shifting the focus toward improving how the ESOs operate by providing them with international best practices adapted to each organization’s needs, a community-driven approach that focuses on peer learning, and facilitating connections with investors, policymakers, and key stakeholders.

Algeria’s entrepreneurial community is among the most dynamic and vibrant in the region, and the potential is not just real, it is ready to scale

StartAlgeria will pilot a first cohort focusing on incubators in the capital, Algiers. Following a call for application, the selected ESOs will go through a structured program comprising workshops and masterclasses covering key areas such as startup selection, program design and delivery, and investment readiness. In addition to the core program, participating ESOs will benefit from 6months of post-program mentorship, focusing on areas such as fundraising strategy, partnership development, financial sustainability, and program improvement. This sustained engagement’s goal is to provide a lasting impact in how Algerian ESOs operate and what they’re able to offer the startups they champion.

Yehia Houry, CEO of Flat6Labs, shares “Algeria’s startup ecosystem is demonstrating remarkable potential and a rapidly growing level of maturity, driven by an ambitious new generation of founders, increasing institutional support, and a strong national commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. The opportunity today lies in further empowering entrepreneurship support organizations to match this momentum by strengthening their ability to identify and nurture high-potential startups, deliver impactful and results-driven programs, and create stronger connections between entrepreneurs and sources of capital. With the right support structures in place, Algeria is well positioned to become one of the leading innovation hubs in the region.”

“Algeria’s entrepreneurial community is among the most dynamic and vibrant in the region, and the potential is not just real, it is ready to scale. Through StartAlgeria, we are committed to ensuring that the organizations standing behind founders are equipped with the tools, frameworks, and expertise to take them from early ideas to investment-ready ventures. This program is a direct expression of IFC’s long-term confidence in Algeria’s private sector and in the ecosystem’s capacity to produce the next generation of high-impact companies.” underscored Cemile Hacibeyoglu Ceren, WBG Resident Representative in Algeria.

“The launch of StartAlgeria marks an important step in reinforcing Algeria’s startup support ecosystem. By strengthening the capabilities of Entrepreneur Support Organizations, we are investing in the long-term growth, resilience, and international competitiveness of Algerian startups. This initiative reflects our shared ambition to build a dynamic innovation-driven economy and create new opportunities for entrepreneurs across the country,” said H.E Mr. Noureddine Ouadah, Minister of Knowledge Economy, Startups and Micro-Enterprises.

This IFC program is implemented in partnership with the Government of the Netherlands.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Flat6Labs.

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Hong Kong unlocks new opportunities with Central Asia

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10 hours ago

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June 23, 2026

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 June 2026 – Led by Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), John Lee, a high-level delegation visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan (May 31 – June 5) is already paying dividends, forging fresh opportunities to deepen ties between Central Asia, Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland.

The business delegation comprised over 70 representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises of various sectors.

During the visit, 96 bilateral memoranda of understanding and agreements were reached, including a total of 15 co-operation documents at the government level between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan respectively.

“The examples of agreements and co-operation are just so abundant that they range from the service sector to heavy industries such as mining and infrastructure development,” Mr Lee said. “I think the sky is the limit.”

The multiple outcomes achieved during the trip demonstrate Hong Kong’s role as a functional platform for the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative, as the city actively plays its roles as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” to promote broader and deeper co-operation between the two places and establish a hub-to-hub co-operation model.

“Kazakhstan is an important commercial and logistics hub connecting China and Europe. It is also the place where the Belt and Road Initiative was first proposed, and is Hong Kong’s largest trading partner in Central Asia. There are broad prospects for further co-operation,” Mr Lee said, adding that a lot of B&R projects are also being pursued in Uzbekistan.

“For example, Uzbekistan sits in the heart of the corridor of Asia and Europe, so logistical development, railway development, and also how we can complement and supplement each other in cargo handling will be an area for a very wide range of co-operation.”

The Chief Executive also encouraged companies in Central Asia to leverage Hong Kong’s advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle.

“Under this unique principle, Hong Kong has its own economic, social, legal, legislative and judicial systems. We are the only common law jurisdiction in China. We have our own currency, with no capital or foreign exchange controls. We are, as well, a separate customs territory,” Mr Lee said.

Building on the positive outcomes from the delegation’s mission to Central Asia, Mr Lee welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Kanat Bozumbayev, to Hong Kong (June 10) and they both attended the Alatau City Investment Round Table (June 11).

Speaking at the event, Mr Lee said Hong Kong could contribute to the future success of Kazakhstan’s innovative, high-tech Alatau City in three concrete ways: as a gateway to global capital; a gateway to the Chinese Mainland and the Greater Bay Area; and as a partner in talent and technology.

“We share a development vision with Alatau City and Kazakhstan,” Mr Lee said, “Today, right here, right now, is a golden opportunity to bring our two economies closer together.”

He looked forward to Hong Kong and Kazakhstan achieving complementary advantages and co-ordinated development across different sectors and welcomed enterprises in Kazakhstan to make good use of Hong Kong’s premier financial and innovation and technology platforms, as well as its world-leading professional services, to explore more business opportunities.

 

 

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