African airports could soon shift from legacy systems to cloud-based operations platforms, following a partnership between Johannesburg, South Africa-based digital transformation firm Phungela and global airport technology provider AeroCloud.
The partnership, announced on 29 January 2026, positions Phungela as AeroCloud’s on-the-ground delivery partner across the continent. AeroCloud’s cloud-native platform currently supports operations at more than 80 airports worldwide, serves 78 airlines and underpins environments that collectively process around 360 million passengers annually.
What the partnership involves
Under the agreement, Phungela will lead local market engagement, implementation, service delivery and ongoing support for airports adopting the platform. AeroCloud will provide the cloud-native hardware and software stack, which covers stand and gate management, passenger flow optimisation and real-time operational decision-making.
The companies say the approach will allow airports to improve efficiency and unlock capacity without major new infrastructure investments. The platform is designed to replace siloed legacy systems with data-driven, predictive operating models.
Executive commentary
Nkululeko Mhlaba, CEO of Phungela, said the partnership addresses a critical need. “Airports are critical economic gateways, and the ability to operate efficiently, predictively and at scale is no longer optional. By combining our understanding of the African aviation landscape with AeroCloud’s cloud-native platform, we are enabling airports to modernise operations in a practical, scalable and future-ready way,” Mhlaba said.
George Richardson, CEO and co-founder of AeroCloud, said local expertise was central to the expansion. “Airports do not just need innovative technology; they need trusted local partners who understand their operating environment. Phungela brings deep regional insight, strong delivery capability and a clear vision for digital transformation across Africa’s aviation sector,” Richardson said.
Broader context
The deal aligns with a wider trend of international technology providers entering the South African market through local partnerships. Africa’s aviation sector has lagged in adopting cloud-based operational tools, even as digital infrastructure investment across the continent accelerates.
AeroCloud already operates across Europe and North America, and the Phungela partnership marks its first formal push into African markets. For Phungela, which delivers technology consulting and managed services to public and private sector organisations, the agreement extends its portfolio into the aviation vertical.
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