Eve and Kenya Airways’ subsidiary, Fahari Aviation, have signed a letter of intent for up to 40 eVTOLs to fly people and cargo, with the first deliveries scheduled for 2026.

The agreement includes joint studies through a working group to develop and scale the country’s UAM market, as well as a business model for cargo drone operations in Kenya.

EVTOL ‘champions’

Eve’s electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles have multiple rotors used to take off and land vertically, and at cruise altitude the rear propellers push the aircraft forward as in a wing-borne flight.

“Urban air mobility is the future of transport and we are honoured to be the champions of this in the region,” said Allan Kilavuka, Group Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Airways.

“The journey to realise the dream of eVTOL vehicles in Kenya is on course, and the partnership with Eve is a key achievement for us as part of the strategy to adopt new technologies as a growth strategy for the sustainable development of Africa.”

UAM ecosystem

Andre Stein, co-CEO of Eve, said: “This is a new chapter of the Eve and Fahari Aviation partnership to strengthen both companies’ commitment to establishing the foundations that will sustainably support the ecosystem for urban air mobility in Kenya.

“Last year, we announced a collaboration to develop operational models for Fahari Aviation’s key markets, and today’s announcement confirms that it is evolving successfully.”

Fahari Aviation has been focusing on innovative and sustainable solutions to address different markets, from those wishing to avoid traffic jams, to sightseeing, parcel delivery and agriculture and wildlife protection flights.

Eve said its zero-emission, low-noise eVTOL would benefit the development of air mobility in Kenya.

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