Dubai Ports "Kigali Logistics Platform” located in Masaka sector in Kicukiro district, on December 6 inaugurated two new spacious warehouses—one occupying 2500 and 3000 square meters, as part of their commitment to excellence, innovation, and continual growth.

This strategic expansion of the two facilities, is the addition of the 10 existing, bringing to twelve warehouses established within the past four years.

The event saw various officials and stakeholders invested in the logistics sector including Mark Rylance, the Regional Chief Operating Officer for Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) logistics, Sumeet Bhardwaj, Chief Executive Officer of DP World Rwanda, Pascal Bizimana Ruganintwali, the Commissioner General of Rwanda Revenue Authority to name but a few.

Among the key highlights was the handover of a new customs building to RRA, aimed at further streamlining operations and extending support to stakeholders and esteemed clients.

ALSO READ: DP World Kigali inaugurates its expansion phase with a commodity distribution Centre

Speaking at the event, the CEO emphasized the company’s unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

He said: "The move marks a significant milestone in the journey of DP World’s ‘Kigali Logistics Platform’ as we unveil this state-of-the-art facility that will play a big role in shaping future access.”

"I can proudly say that this facility is the most unique and one of its kind not only in the East Africa Community region but in entire Africa. We offer a bouquet of the services which no other similar facility offers under one roof,” he said.

He noted: "Our new warehouses are more than just a physical space to store goods; they are a strategic investment in the expansion and enhancement of our operations. With the cutting-edge technology and optimized processes, we are confident that this facility will serve as a hub for efficiency, reliability and customer satisfaction.”

Equally, these warehouses align with the long-term growth plans for logistics in the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region and DP World’s "Kigali logistics platform”.

Mark Rylance affirmed that this is phase one and we are committed to create phase two at the same time developing a similar facility at Rubavu border in western province. This is because we are an end-to-end supply chain services provider.

"We have managed to reduce the cost of transportation between the central and northern corridor by almost 10 per cent. We also launched a market access business whereby we are supporting the end consumers through FMCG products supply line,” he added.

ALSO READ: Kigali: Gov’t opens up public transport market to individual investors

Félicien Mwumvaneza, the RRA Commissioner for Customs Services told The New Times that the handover of the offices means a lot for cargo handling, trade is going to be better facilitated which will ultimately reduce cost in the long run.

He added: "Customs officers will be based here because by law, warehouse operators are supposed to provide office facilities for customs officers to facilitate the clearance of the goods. This is a good initiative and we warmly welcome it.”

Equally, Juliet MUTONI, the second Vice-Chairperson, Rwanda Freight Forwarders Association (RWAFFA), a non-profit organization established to represent all the clearing and forwarding firms in Rwanda said such a project sounds like music to their ears since they need more storage and warehouses.

"I feel motivated because as an association we have learnt one or two things from DP World. We are also planning to construct offices for the clearing agency firms and have some storage facilities. Copy pastes for good is not bad so we expect to work closer to each other,” she said.

"Therefore, we pledge support because having buildings is very good but also having cargo full of these buildings is good for investors. Having many warehouses in Rwanda means the cost for renting is reducing and doing business will be easy and we are all going to be happy,” she noted.

Mutoni further pledged the support to ensure that these warehouses are fully utilized by being ambassadors to the traders, importers and exporters to boost the logistics industry in Rwanda.

ALSO READ: Govt to set up logistics platform to facilitate international trade

Global trade enabler DP World, Kigali Logistics Platform is a dry port that was launched by President Paul Kagame in 2019 as the country’s biggest inland cargo handling facility.

It serves as a gateway to the heart of Africa, connecting Rwanda to neighbouring countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya. The facility also accesses the port of Mombasa in Kenya and Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania, securing two trade gateways to the sea.