Hapag-Lloyd, a leading global shipping company, has officially opened a new office in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, signaling its commitment to strengthening its presence in East Africa. Uganda’s strategic location, bordering five nations in East and Central Africa, makes it a critical hub for regional trade.
The country, with a population of approximately 50 million, is witnessing robust economic growth, with a projected GDP increase of 5.9% in 2024. Despite being landlocked, Uganda plays a vital role in facilitating trade through major seaports like Mombasa in Kenya and Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania. In 2023, about 22% of exports handled by the Port of Mombasa originated from Uganda, underlining its significance in regional trade flows.
Economic growth
Key exports passing through Uganda include; timber and dry hides from South Sudan, cocoa, minerals, and timber from the Democratic Republic of Congo and coffee from Rwanda. These exports, combined with Uganda’s role as a business hub for packaging and consolidating regional commodities, highlight its growing importance in East African trade.
The new Kampala office, led by Prashant Sindhwani and staffed by five employees, will help Hapag-Lloyd improve its service delivery and better meet customer needs across Uganda and its neighboring regions. Lars Sorensen, Senior Managing Director Region Middle East, emphasized that this move aligns with Hapag-Lloyd’s long-term strategy to establish a strong foothold in emerging markets with high growth potential.
This expansion marks a strategic step for Hapag-Lloyd to tap into Uganda’s growing export landscape and its regional trade opportunities.