Al Sharqi Shipping Launches Strategic Operations in Kenya and Uganda to Drive East African Trade
The expansion is designed to capture the full value chain of East African logistics:
1. Kenya (Nairobi): Leveraging the UAE-Kenya Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Al Sharqi will utilize Nairobi as the primary coastal gateway for cargo entering the continent.
2. Uganda (Kampala): The new Kampala office will serve as the critical transit hub for the Great Lakes region, managing on-carriage logistics to landlocked markets including Rwanda, South Sudan, and the DRC.
Infrastructure Investment
Al Sharqi is investing in local capabilities across both nations to ensure end-to-end control, including:
· Customs Acceleration: Proprietary workflows to navigate regulatory frameworks in both Kenya and Uganda.
· Cross-Border Trucking: dedicated fleets to secure the notoriously complex Mombasa-Nairobi-Kampala transit corridor.
· Supply Chain Visibility: Real-time tracking for goods moving from Dubai through to the Ugandan hinterland.
Executive Commentary: “This is not just an expansion; it is a commitment to the future of UAE-Africa trade” said Kashif Rafiq, CEO of Al Sharqi Shipping. “While the UAE-Kenya CEPA provides the regulatory framework, the logistics reality requires boots on the ground across the border. By establishing a direct presence in both Nairobi and Kampala, we are securing the entire trade lane, ensuring reliability for importers in both key markets.
