West African hub a prize for SAA
SAA currently operates
24 routes into Africa,
with more on the cards,
says Ohis Ehimiaghe, the
airline’s regional manager
for North, West and Central
Africa.
In its West Africa schedule,
the national carrier will be
increasing frequencies to
Kinshasa in July while Lagos
will receive eight flights a
week from August. Abidjan
sevices have recently been
increased to three flights
weekly.
SAA has for a time been
seeking a West African hub
as a critical part of its Africa
growth strategy, with Lagos,
Accra and Dakar in the
running.
It considered buying a
stake in Senegal Airlines
but that was found to be
not commercially viable. At
the time of going to press,
the money seems to be on
Accra.
SAA recently confirmed
it was considering buying
a stake in the privately
owned airline, Asky (of which
SAA’s Star Alliance partner,
Ethiopian, holds a strategic
stake), which currently
operates from Lomé in Togo.
SAA spokesperson, Tlali
Tlali, says the airline
plans to meet with both
Ethiopian Airlines and Asky
to investigate the feasibility
of such a venture. He adds
that SAA will consider
partnering with Ghanaian
investors to acquire part of
Asky and then relocate the
airline to Accra.
“We are now focusing
on Ghana, as we fly
to Accra. There are no
commitments at this stage
and the outcome of our
engagements will inform
the steps we need to take,
mindful of SAA’s current
financial position,” says
Tlali.
A West African hub would
be useful in giving the
airline a central geographic
presence, allowing it to
compete on the highdemand
transatlantic routes,
scooping passengers from
all over Africa across the
Atlantic to the Americas,
and within easy distance of
European cities.
Nigeria is open for business
THE Nigeria SA Chamber of
Commerce has one main
purpose – to ease trade
between the two countries.
Osayaba Giwa-Osagie,
who heads up the chamber
says: “Where there are
impediments we help to
remove them, speaking
to the authorities, and
ensuring the citizens of
both countries are able
to travel with the least
possible hindrance. A lot
of emphasis has been on
the oil and gas industry,
which accounts for 80%
of the Nigerian economy,
but there are many
opportunities opening
up in agriculture, mining,
infrastructure, tourism and
in the movie industry.”
Osayaba says while
there are several formal
Nigerian businesses in
SA, there are many more
South African businesses
in Nigeria (which has a
population of 170 million),
with staggering potential
as a market. His advice to
South African companies
wanting to enter the
market is:
While it is not mandatory
to have a local partner
(except in the oil and
gas business), it is
recommended that
companies involve a
reputable local partner
for their local knowledge,
local connections and
their understanding of
local business. This, he
says, opens doors.
SA corporates wanting
to open a business in
Nigeria will benefit by
approaching the chamber
first, even before coming
to the country. They
should visit www.nsacc.
org.ng. The chamber
will point out
potential
partners,
help arrange
introductory
meetings
and assist with legal
requirements.
Know your business/
product well and have
a good business
plan prepared by
professionals.
You need high standards,
a good brand, a niche
market orientation and a
good management team.
Safety first
Many South Africans
are concerned about
the security situation in
Nigeria. While the nature
of terrorism makes it
impossible to predict
where the next incident
will be, travellers to Lagos
should be aware that the
area where most Boko
Haram terrorism activity
takes place is 1 600km
north-east of Lagos.
That said, travellers
must be prepared for
levels of security higher
than those we have in
SA. Office buildings,
supermarkets, shopping
malls and public buildings
have security checkpoints.
The Lagos airport has
high security and many
queues. Arriving at the
airport with four hours to
spare before your flight is
advisable.
Southern sun shines in Lagos
TSOGO Sun’s
commitment to Lagos is
clear, even though the
group has no immediate
plans to develop more
properties, over and
above Southern Sun Ikoyi,
in Nigeria.
Andrew Hosking,
Tsogo Sun offshore
operations director, says
when Southern Sun Ikoyi
opened in 2009 the
group’s only involvement
was a management
contract but in 2013
it invested R700m in
acquiring 75,5% of the
hotel, with the remainder
held by its local partner.
“Whereas many hotel
groups now entering
the Nigerian market
have done so with
management contracts,
we have invested in the
property, and now we
plan to consolidate. While
we have no immediate
plans to increase our
presence in West Africa,
we are always looking for
prospects,” he says.
Lagos’s infrastructural
problems are well
documented. They
are a challenge for all
businesses, especially
hotel operators, who
need to prioritise the
comfort of guests.
Southern Sun Ikoyi is
independent of city
services, with its own
generators, sewage and
water purification plants
(a real comfort in a city
where power outages
sometimes occur six
times in an hour). “We
run on generators around
40% of the time,” says
Andrew.
Occupancy growth has
been good, says Andrew.
Considering the hotel
opened during a dearth
of hotel rooms in Lagos,
it has sustained high
occupancy – more than
70% – and it has been
able to maintain its rates
and grow the business.
Marcel von Aulock,
Tsogo Sun ceo, told
TNW that its offshore
operations are
responsible for 20%
of the group’s hotel
business revenue and
operating profit, and
the Ikoyi property alone
is responsible for 50%
of this.
A home away from home
SOUTHERN Sun Ikoyi’s
hotel business is about
accommodating SA business
travellers and it has become
a firm favourite for South
Africans in Nigeria.
The property has a familiar,
South African feel and is
filled with the style, decor and
service that South Africans
associate with the iconic
brand.
But it also has a wider
reputation among Lagos
residents for its food and
beverage services, with
Sunday brunch being hugely
popular.
Andrew Hosking believes
that true SA-style warmth,
hospitality and service are
what set Southern Sun Ikoyi
apart.
“Our company culture
is different from that of
other hotel groups and
our recruitment process is
different too. We look for a
specific EQ component. Our
staff at Ikoyi have been trained
in our company culture and
are exceptionally proud of and
loyal to the brand.”
The hotel has 195 rooms.
There is a pool and a
fitness centre and the
restaurant serves high-quality
international cuisine along with
West African favourites and
some typically South African
treats. For those working late,
there is 24-hour room service.
Given the cost of data when
roaming, an important feature
for travellers is reliable, usable
and affordable WiFi and here,
once again, this property
excels, giving all guests
complimentary access.
The business centre has
conference and meeting
facilities that can be booked
for small meetings or functions
for 100 delegates.
The ninth floor has an
executive lounge, a private
facility for VIP guests staying in
the suites at the hotel. Here a
continental breakfast is served
from 07h00-09h00 daily, and
complimentary snacks and
beverages are provided from
18h00-21h00.
Arrivals at Llagos can be easy
LANDING at Murtala
Mohammed can be a
bewildering experience.
One could not fail to be
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Travellers, especially first
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provides a range of services,
including those relating to
security, airport transfers,
chauffeured vehicle rental
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family support, company
registrations, airline
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