One of the fastest ways to fly from Nairobi, Kenya, to Marrakech, Morocco, is via Paris, France.
Despite being on the same continent, around 3,700 miles miles apart, the two destinations have no direct flights.
It’s not just these two metropolises: many of the continent’s capitals and largest cities have no direct flights, or very limited schedules, which often means travelers end up making multiple layovers, typically in Europe or the Middle East.
The fastest way to get to Morocco from Kenya is through Paris 🤯 pic.twitter.com/FjInzqRejq — Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) September 7, 2025
“The biggest challenge is market access, in the context of allowing airlines to move passengers freely in and out of the African cities without the restrictions that currently exist,” says Raphael Kuu