PHOTOS: President Kagame inaugurates Kigali inland cargo handling facility

President Paul Kagame, on Monday, officially inaugurated the Kigali logistics platform, Rwanda’s largest inland cargo handling facility as the country bids to become a regional logistics hub.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, President Kagame said that the facility will significantly reduce truck turn-around time and connect Rwanda to the larger market in Africa and beyond. 

“I congratulate Dubai ports on successfully completing the test phase, which has already demonstrated significant reductions in truck turn-around time," Kagame said. 

The head of state added, "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. The Kigali Logistics Platform is really getting up and running at a pivotal moment in our continent’s economic transformation. We, therefore, want to challenge our business people and investors, starting with the industries located in this neighbourhood and from the region and beyond, to make full use of this facility. There is no excuse not to pursue the vast opportunities available to us.”

The US$35 million facility spans over 130,000 square meters, including a 12,000 square meter container yard and a 19,600 square meter warehousing facility. It has an annual capacity of 640,000 tonnes of warehousing space.

The platform, according to the official statement, has already contributed to socio-economic progress through the creation of 667 direct and indirect jobs, with 98% of them being Rwandans.

Speaking at the event, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, DP World Chairman and CEO, noted that the project is an enabling addition to Rwanda's ambitions to become a key services and trade hub for the region. 

“We believe in the economic potential of Rwanda and the African Great Lakes region. DP World is proud to support Rwanda in its ambitions to establish itself as a key services and trade hub for the region, and to accelerate further economic growth by sharing our knowledge and expertise in innovation and technology. As we inaugurate Kigali Logistics Platform, we are delighted by the impact it has already had on businesses and the community. We look forward to building on our strategic partnership with the Rwandan government to expand the logistics and trade sector, by empowering the Rwandan people to increase the attractiveness of the country as a key trade hub in Africa,” Sulayem said. 

When operating at full capacity, the facility has the potential to save Rwandan businesses up to US$50 million a year in logistics costs.

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.

It has articulated forklifts and modern narrow aisle racking system (VNA) in the warehouses to reduce operational time – a first for Rwanda and only the second of its kind in Africa.