Kigali, 21 October 2019:  His Excellency President Paul Kagame and Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Dubai Ports World (DPW) Chairman and CEO, inaugurated a new modern inland cargo handling port that offers real-time cargo tracking services to customers.                                 

Dubbed Kigali Logistics Platform, the constructed facility located in Masaka Sector, Kicukiro district will be managed by an Arab port operator Dubai Ports World group, basing on a 25-year concession agreement signed with the government in 2016.

President Paul Kagame said that the test phase of the new facility has already demonstrated significant reductions in truck turn-around time. "I must say I am impressed by the operations here. This is a high-tech operation that offers real-time cargo tracking to customers. We are happy to be associated with Dubai Ports World and to partner in the establishment of this modern inland port, which is already improving trade and reducing costs for our country," he said.

According to President Kagame, the future of trade and integration on African continent lies in the African Continental Free Trade Area, launched June 2019 to enhance trading activities set to commence in July 2020.

"Trade agreements and economic policies won't have much impact without actual infrastructure. With the launch of this facility, Rwanda is doing its part to connect with the larger market of more than 1.2 Billion consumers in Africa and beyond. I congratulate you on successfully completing the test phase of DP World which has already demonstrated the significant reduction in track turnaround time." Noted President Kagame.

Speaking at the launch, the Dubai Ports World Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin said that the facility, which has been operational since September 2018 in test mode, has a capacity of handling 50,000 containers. Additionally, “When operating at full capacity, it has the potential to save Rwandan businesses up to $50 million a year in logistics costs.

Logistics is about how the economy reduces the cost of transportation. Trade is smarter today and will continuously be due to a unique block-chain developed to benefit cargo owners to cut costs.

Kigali Logistics Platform serves as a gateway to the heart of Africa, connecting Rwanda to neighbouring countries including Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.

The facility will also access the port of Mombasa in Kenya and Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania, securing two trade gateways to the sea.

The Kigali logistics platform uses state-of-the-art technologies to ensure maximum security and transparency for its customers. It is the only cargo terminal in Rwanda monitored by 24-hour CCTV with customers able to access real-time tracking through mobile and online portals.