KAMPALA, Uganda — Hapag-Lloyd, one of the world’s leading shipping companies, has entered the Ugandan market with the opening of a new office in Kampala, Uganda.
The new office, which will be led by Prashant Sindhwani, will serve as a hub for Hapag-Lloyd’s operations in Uganda and neighboring countries, including South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
“Uganda plays a vital role in the export landscape of Africa and continues to see economic growth,” said Lars Sorensen, Senior Managing Director Region Middle East at Hapag-Lloyd. “Opening our office in Kampala is part of our long-term strategy to establish an early presence in emerging markets with high potential.”
Uganda’s strategic location provides excellent connections to five neighboring countries in East and Central Africa, making it an attractive market for trade and investment. The country’s economy is expected to grow by 5.9% in 2024, driven by a population of around 50 million people.
As a landlocked country, Uganda relies heavily on neighboring ports, such as Mombasa in Kenya and Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania, to facilitate its international trade. The Port of Mombasa handled approximately 200,000 TEU of exports in 2023, with 22% of the volume originating from Uganda.
“Uganda’s importance lies not only in its own exports but also in its role as a business hub for packaging and consolidating a diverse range of commodities that move throughout the region,” said Sorensen.
Key exports passing through Uganda include timber and dry hides from South Sudan, cocoa, minerals, and timber from the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as coffee from Rwanda. These flows highlight Uganda’s growing impact on East African exports and its potential for facilitating trade across borders.
The new Hapag-Lloyd office in Kampala will have five employees and will offer a range of services, including container shipping, logistics, and supply chain management.
“With Kampala as our new hub, we can strengthen our position in the African market, improve service delivery, and better meet the needs of our customers both in Uganda and in neighboring regions,” said Sorensen.
The opening of the new office in Kampala marks a significant milestone in Hapag-Lloyd’s expansion strategy in Africa. The company has been operating in Africa for over 60 years and has a strong presence in many countries across the continent.
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