Zambia provides fastjet with easier affiliate option than South Africa, Ghana, Kenya or Nigeria

fastjet is turning its attention to Zambia as the fledging pan-African low-cost carrier group seeks to add at least one affiliate in 2014. The Zambian market is relatively small but has potential and is much less competitive with fewer obstacles than the other African markets fastjet has been looking to enter.

The fastjet group has been preparing to enter the South African domestic market and also has been planning joint ventures in Kenya and Nigeria. But fastjet Zambia could end up becoming the second fastjet-branded carrier, with a potential mid-2014 launch.

Lusaka in Zambia is already in line to be the second international route after Johannesburg for fastjet Tanzania, which is the group's only existing fastjet-branded operation. fastjet Zambia would also serve South Africa, once again providing new competition for South African Airways in one of its most lucrative markets and potentially diminishing the need for a South African affiliate.