Kenya Airways has taken a bold step in redefining the travel experience with the official launch of KQSafari Data, a groundbreaking roaming solution developed in collaboration with RoamBuddy. The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Julius Thairu, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer at Kenya Airways, and Mandeep Birdi, CEO of RoamBuddy.

Born from Kenya Airways’ Open Innovation Challenge and developed at the Fahari Innovation Hub in Kenya, KQSafari Data embodies the airline’s commitment to customer-driven innovation. The service offers travelers access to over 2,250 affordable roaming plans across 180 countries, ensuring that Kenya Airways guests enjoy seamless, reliable, and cost-effective mobile data wherever their journeys take them.

Connectivity remains one of the biggest challenges for international travelers, often burdened by high roaming fees and unpredictable service. By addressing this pain point, KQSafari Data enhances the end-to-end travel experience, building loyalty and positioning Kenya Airways as Africa’s most customer-centric and forward-thinking airline.

“KQSafari Data is more than just a service—it’s a promise of convenience, affordability, and innovation,” said Julius Thairu during the signing ceremony.

“With this solution, we are empowering our guests to stay connected globally while enjoying the warm, seamless travel experience that defines Kenya Airways.”

Travelers can now discover and activate KQSafari Data by visiting KQSafari Data.

With this launch, Kenya Airways not only strengthens its customer offering but also demonstrates the power of partnerships and innovation in shaping the future of African aviation.

Final Thoughts

Kenya Airways’ launch of KQSafari Data marks a notable shift in airline strategy—moving beyond in-flight Wi-Fi toward full-scale travel connectivity. While global carriers like Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa focus on in-flight partnerships, and African peers such as Ethiopian Airlines prioritize network growth, Kenya Airways is entering the space of eSIM and roaming providers like Airalo and Flexiroam.

This aligns with broader trends: IATA (2024) highlights digital personalization as central to airline recovery, while GSMA (2023) projects 1.5 billion eSIM connections by 2028. By embedding connectivity into its brand, Kenya Airways positions itself as Africa’s most forward-thinking carrier, gaining a first-mover advantage in redefining loyalty through seamless digital travel.