Page 18 - LUA September - October 2024

COUNTRY REPORT

The country’s clear
vision on the logistics
sector, such as the
Kigali Logistics
Platform and the Kigali
Special Economic Zone
are cornerstones to the
development of hub
solutions for the region
and beyond.

MYRIAM IZABAYO
AFRICA GLOBAL LOGISTICS

Rwandair will boost the export volumes
from Rwanda but she also informed that
shipping lines such as MSC are increasing
their capacity from Rwanda and get
positioned for exports, especially the reefer
containers and food grade containers.
In April 2024, AGL Rwanda announced
the extension of its logistics warehouse
located within the Kigali Special Economic
Zone (KSEZ) by 5,000 sqm, offering a total
space of 21,000 sqm for bonded and non
bonded facilities, with an investment of
$10 million. Izabayo also informed that
the facility will have dedicated cold chain
capabilities for perishables.
According to Izabayo, AGL, which is
an MSC subsidiary, is the leading logistics
player in Rwanda with predominant market We are also into the movements of Truckers move fruits upcountry and by
shares in various verticals and corridors perishable goods and are expanding in the time they reach Kigali, some will be
both sea and air import and export, and all these commodities. We are witnessing expired,” he said.
handles more than 700 TEUs in Rwanda increased demand from Europe, Asia and Originally from Kenya and with 20
every month in a very diversified value even the American market. For instance, years of experience in the supply chain,
chain to their customers. avocados from Rwanda have high Nicodemus Ndeti, Chairman & Chief
“We are both into import and export demand in these markets.” Executive Officer of G5 Logistics, is
by road, sea, rail and air freight. We also Meanwhile, Ayesiga points out that the somebody who understood this gap in the
have the bonded and non-bonded capacity elephant in the room for to the Rwandan Rwandan logistics landscape and started his
which contribute to our leading position on supply chains is the cold chain infrastructure. company in the country in 2022 and shifted
the market,” she added. He said that 30 to 40 percent of perishables his base to Kigali from Kenya.
Talking about the commodities AGL produced in the country are wasted due to “When I first came to Rwanda, there
Rwanda handles, she said, “Coffee and the lack of cold storage and reefer trucks. were no cold rooms. There was only one
tea take the biggest portion. For coffee, “Rwanda lacks cold chain infrastructure at the airport and now investors have
we represent 40 percent of the market. from the production site to even the airport. started coming in, setting up cold rooms

16 LUA SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2024