Cross-border Traders upbeat as Kigali inland port opens

Cross-border Traders and transport logistics companies note that having an inland port in Kigali will solve the problem offloading and packing delays of products. The Kigali Logistics Platform facility, constructed in Masaka sector of Kicukiro district, will also be important once the train system reaches in Rwanda.

Storage facilities are common nearshore ports and for landlocked countries, it proves a challenge and affects the prices of products reaching citizens. Songa Jean Bosco who owns a company that transports products across countries said that this facility would solve the storage problem and also cut down on costs and delays.

Kigali Logistics Platform is capable of receiving about 50 tons per day which is 640 tons per year, servicing 50K containers as well.

Ndahayo Yohani, a trader in Rwanda who was supervising an activity to load trucks his products bought from China. He says this has come as a solution.

“I am had come here to load my products, this inland port will help us a lot, many times a truck would come and you fail to find ways to offload your truck or use a plastic shelter when it is raining but now you just offload and load your product without wasting time. Nothing gets rained on anymore. You simply load and go,” Ndahayo said. 

The chairperson of Private Sector Federation (PSF) Robert Bafakulera explained that this inland port will also serve as a port for the train systems that are yet to come, which is why other phases of facility need to be constructed to as soon as possible.

The CEO of DP World Sultan Ahmed Bin SULAYEM, explained that he was pleased with the investment in Rwanda and that this facility would open regional opportunities for traders and investors.

The storage facilities being used now are part of phase one which cost about 50 million USD, PHASE 2 will consist of building cold rooms and other storage units.