Hapag-Lloyd has officially opened a new office in Kampala, the capital of Uganda – a country offering strong connections to five neighbouring countries in East and Central Africa.
With a population of approximately 50 million, Uganda is becoming an increasingly attractive market on the African continent, according to the German carrier, adding that the country’s economy is on an upward trajectory, with a projected GDP growth of 5.9% in 2024.
Although Uganda is landlocked and lacks direct sea access, it relies on neighbouring ports such as Mombasa in Kenya and Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania for its international trade.
In 2023, the Port of Mombasa handled around 200,000 TEU of exports, with 22% of that volume originating from Uganda, underscoring the country’s significant role in regional trade. Most of this cargo is transported by truck between Uganda and the ports.
“Uganda plays a vital role in the export landscape of Africa and continues to see economic growth,” stated Lars Sorensen, Senior Managing Director Region Middle East at Hapag-Lloyd.
Meanwhile, key exports moving through Uganda include timber and dry hides from South Sudan, cocoa, minerals, timber from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and coffee from Rwanda. These trade flows emphasize Uganda’s growing influence on East African exports and its potential as a key facilitator of cross-border trade.
Lars Sorensen added, “Opening our office in Kampala is part of our long-term strategy to establish an early presence in emerging markets with high potential. With Kampala as our new hub, we can strengthen our position in the African market, improve service delivery, and better meet the needs of our customers both in Uganda and in neighbouring regions.”
