AA has solved this problem by partnering with SN, while BA has actively reduced its Africa services -- so that probably means Africa is way down on the OW priority list for future improvements. Years ago OW was much more cohesive, and Star was fragmented; now they seem to have switched roles. All of the airline alliances claimed to offer common purchasing of supplies and services and this would lead to cost savings and uniformity of product. But the airlines have generally decided that differentiation is a good thing, and look at how difficult getting a joint lounge is these days (usually only when forced by the airport, as at LAX -- NRT got 3 new OW lounges when CX/QF/AA switched to the JL terminal, and they all refused to use the JL lounges; while BA decided that using the NW lounge was better!!!). The strange world of OW.