Saudi Airlines Cargo (Saudia Cargo) will provide more freight services between the Middle East and Africa.

Bosses at the firm said the organisation is now in a position to offer flights to 23 different destinations in eastern, central and southern Africa, as well as the Horn of Africa and Indian Ocean islands.

Recent studies have shown the Gulf and Africa are both performing relatively well in terms of air freight activity, while Europe and North America have been struggling of late.

To accommodate the growing demand for air deliveries in Africa, Saudia Cargo has relaunched its Nairobi hub and will operate five weekly scheduled flights into the Kenyan city.

Vice president of commercial at the airline Peter Scholten said customers will benefit from "seamless connectivity" for their logistical imports.

"This marks yet another important milestone in our growth strategy and further entrenches our presence in the Africa region, following our earlier launch of the west African hub in Lagos," he commented.