Ethiopian Airlines, Nova Holdings Seal TAIS 2026 Deal, Offer Delegates 12% Fare Cut By Raymond Enoch
Ethiopian Airlines and Nova Holdings Ltd have signed a strategic partnership agreement for the 2026 Trans Africa Investment Summit (TAIS), with delegates set to enjoy a 12 per cent discount on eligible Economy and Business Class fares to Kampala, Uganda.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on September 21, formally designates Ethiopian Airlines as the official airline and carrier of TAIS 2026, scheduled for November 4–6 at Silver Springs Hotel, Kampala.
The partnership is expected to strengthen air connectivity for the investment gathering, which is projected to draw international participants comprising investors, business executives, development stakeholders and other key actors from across Africa and beyond.
Under the agreement, eligible delegates travelling to Kampala from any Ethiopian Airlines online point will receive a 12 per cent discount on the airline’s NUC/Base fare for Economy and Business Class tickets. The discount, however, excludes promotional fares.
The arrangement is designed to provide participants with a structured travel option while giving Ethiopian Airlines an expanded platform to showcase its aviation, travel and tourism products to investors, corporate leaders and development partners attending the summit.
Beyond the discounted fares, the airline will support TAIS 2026 with high-definition corporate logos and promotional materials for print and electronic publicity, alongside advertising and advertorial opportunities.
Ethiopian Airlines will also make suitable tour packages available to participants, potentially allowing delegates to combine their investment engagements with tourism and destination experiences in Uganda and the wider region.
In return, Nova Holdings will formally recognise Ethiopian Airlines as the official carrier of TAIS 2026 across the summit’s website, official announcements and related communications.
A dedicated discounted hyperlink will also be displayed on the summit website to facilitate online ticket bookings by eligible delegates, while the airline’s website will be linked directly to the summit platform.
The agreement further provides Ethiopian Airlines with a full-page, full-colour A4 advertising space in the summit event magazine, where applicable, as well as booth space during the three-day event to engage participants and promote its aviation, travel and tourism offerings.
The airline’s corporate identity will receive broad visibility across TAIS publicity materials, including brochures, press releases, conference materials, banners, backdrops, flyers, invitation letters, electronic invitation cards and exhibition publications.
Ethiopian Airlines will also have opportunities to display promotional videos on plasma screens and distribute branded promotional materials to summit delegates.
The partnership extends beyond the summit itself, with Nova Holdings committing to promote Ethiopian Airlines holiday packages through its website, recommend the airline’s services to affiliates for relevant travel requirements and facilitate participants’ ticket information in line with the terms of the agreement.
The collaboration therefore establishes a broader commercial and strategic framework covering passenger connectivity, airline marketing, destination promotion, business engagement and investment-related travel, rather than serving solely as an event transportation arrangement.
The partnership also highlights the growing role of air connectivity in supporting Africa’s investment, tourism and trade ecosystem, particularly as businesses and investors increasingly require efficient movement between regional markets.
By bringing together Nova Holdings’ investment, business development and strategic communications platform with Ethiopian Airlines’ international aviation network, the agreement is intended to facilitate participation in TAIS 2026 while creating additional commercial opportunities for both organisations.
The MoU was signed on behalf of Nova Holdings by its Chief Executive Officer, Mary Ganda, while Zebiba Miftah, Head of ET-Holidays, Ethiopian Airlines Group, signed for Ethiopian Airlines.
TAIS 2026 is being positioned as a platform for strengthening investment relationships, business connectivity and economic cooperation across Africa and internationally, with the Kampala gathering expected to bring together stakeholders around opportunities for cross-border investment and economic collaboration.
