[11:17 AM, 5/15/2026] Emeka: South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, has unveiled a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system aimed at simplifying travel procedures, improving visitor experiences, and accelerating tourism growth in the country. According to Daily News, De Lille was speaking during a workshop focused on the “Ease of Travel” at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on Wednesday.
The ETA applies to eligible travellers visiting South Africa for short stays, including holidays and family visits, and is verified electronically by airlines and border control officials. Like the ETA’s introduction, the Indaba serves as a platform for stakeholders to explore and promote similar innovations, opportunities and attractions across the African continent. This year’s Indaba theme, “Unlimited Africa”, highlights efforts to eliminate travel barriers. The event not only serves as a platform for marketing destinations, but also as an incubator for ideas, partnerships and investments shaping the future of tourism on the continent.
During the workshop, De Lille also unveiled other developments concerning South Africa’s tourism and immigration landscape. “This (ETA) is not just a digital upgrade; it is a fundamental shift in how we welcome visitors, how we compete globally, and how we grow our tourism economy.” She described the system as one of the most critical reforms in the tourism sector, adding that early results since the ETA went live had been promising. De Lille said feedback indicated that the ETA delivered rapid processing times, enabling more streamlined airport procedures that could take less than a minute.
She was optimistic about the system’s evolving capabilities, which include new features for renewals, family profiles and expanded coverage across more countries. De Lille encouraged attendees to explore how the ETA could be integrated into their businesses and operations. She said simplifying travel to South Africa would help increase tourist arrivals. “The easier it is to travel to South Africa, the more travellers will come. And the more travellers come, the more your businesses grow, the more jobs we create, and the more communities benefit.” She added that the ETA was developed through collaborative work with the Department of Home Affairs, which is spearheading the project.
Deputy Tourism Minister Maggie Sotyu also showcased projects funded by the Tourism Transformation Fund. The Tourism Transformation Fund, a collaborative initiative between the Department of Tourism and the National Empowerment Fund, was established in May 2018 to uplift black-owned tourism enterprises. Through a combination of grant funding, concessionary loans and tailored business support, the fund aims to reduce barriers to entry into the tourism sector, increase participation and build a more inclusive tourism economy.
“Transformation in tourism cannot remain an abstract policy discussion; it must be visible and tangible,” Sotyu said. “It must reflect ownership patterns, participation in the tourism value chain, and who ultimately benefits from tourism growth.” Since its inception, the fund has received 799 applications for assistance, with 41 projects currently active and approved. To date, approximately R150.4 million in grant funding has been approved to support transformation in the tourism sector.
[11:24 AM, 5/15/2026] Emeka: Africa: Ethiopian Airlines in Talks With Airbus Over New Widebody Aircraft Amid Expansion Push
Africa’s largest carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, is in discussions with aerospace giant Airbus over the possible acquisition of additional widebody aircraft as the airline accelerates its long-haul expansion strategy. According to Africa Business Insider, the airline is considering purchasing around six Airbus A350 widebody jets and roughly 20 A220 regional aircraft.
However, Bloomberg reported the discussions remain at an early stage, and no final decision has been made on whether the order will proceed or on the exact size of any potential deal. Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier, is scaling up its global ambitions with new aircraft purchases and a massive infrastructure project that could reshape air travel on the continent. The state-owned carrier, which is more than 80 years old, has set out ambitious expansion plans to position itself alongside global aviation players such as Turkish Airlines and Emirates.
It is currently developing a $12.5 billion airport project in Bishoftu, a village roughly 45 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa, designed to initially handle 60 million passengers annually, with long-term capacity targets of up to 110 million by 2036. Ethiopian Airlines Group already operates a mixed fleet of around 150 aircraft, including Boeing 737s, 777s and 787s, alongside Airbus A350S and turboprop aircraft, and has more than 60 Boeing jets on order. However, the airline is grappling with delivery delays from Boeing Co., with aircraft deliveries falling behind schedule even as it pushes ahead with its expansion plans.
Back in June, 2025, the airline revealed that it was considering purchasing at least 20 regional or small narrowbody aircraft to improve its domestic and short-haul network. For Airbus, a potential agreement would strengthen its presence within a carrier long dominated by Boeing aircraft. The company has recently stepped up promotion of its A220 model globally, following a period of weak order momentum in 2024, with recent large purchases such as AirAsia’s 150-aircraft order highlighting renewed interest in the type. The development comes at a time when the aviation industry is facing severe headwinds, as the Iran war continues to disrupt global flight routes, forcing airspace closures and driving up jet fuel prices.
Ethiopian Airlines Group has also disclosed that it lost about $137 million in just one week, as the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran continues to strain air travel across the Middle East.
