In efforts to strengthen its presence in the African markets and continent, Qatar Airways is in negotiations to acquire a 20% stake in South African Airlink.

The companies have not yet commented on the matter, as the agreements have not yet reached a conclusion, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Remember the Bloomberg in May, the Doha-based airline, through its CEO, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said it was in the final stages of acquiring an African airline. Al-Meer reportedly gave the same information this week, but without naming the target company.

State-owned Qatar Airways already flies to around 30 destinations in Africa and is looking to expand its network through a series of partnerships and investments.

The carrier is also finalizing the acquisition of a 49% stake in RwandAir and will have a 60% stake in a new airport under construction on the outskirts of Kigali, Rwanda's capital.

Qatar Airways is already the largest shareholder in IAG SA, owner of British Airways, and owns around 10% of Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. and Latam Airlines Group SA .