Al Sharqi Shipping expands Kenya and Uganda logistics operations

Al Sharqi Shipping has announced its expansion into Kenya and Uganda, establishing operations in Nairobi and Kampala as part of a strategy to strengthen logistics links between the UAE and East Africa. The company said the move is aimed at digitising and accelerating trade corridors connecting Gulf markets with high-growth economies on the African continent.

The dual-country presence is structured around Nairobi serving as a gateway for cargo flows into East Africa, while Kampala functions as a transit hub for onwards movement into landlocked markets. The approach is intended to support trade into Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo through coordinated on-carriage logistics.

The company plans to leverage the UAE-Kenya Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to streamline cargo movement into Kenya while managing inland distribution through Uganda. This structure positions Nairobi as an entry point and Kampala as a consolidation and redistribution centre for regional trade.

Al Sharqi Shipping said it is investing in local infrastructure and capabilities to maintain control over the logistics chain. These investments include special customs processes to handle regulations in both countries, dedicated trucking services for cross-border transport along the Mombasa-Nairobi-Kampala route, and real-time tracking of shipments from Dubai to their final destinations inland.

Speaking on the expansion, Kashif Rafiq, CEO of Al Sharqi Shipping, said, "This is not just an expansion; it is a commitment to the future of UAE-Africa trade." He added, "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."

Founded in 1989, Al Sharqi Shipping has grown from a local freight forwarding operation into a regional logistics provider. The East Africa expansion forms part of its broader plan to build technology-led logistics networks across emerging markets and support cross-border trade flows.