Hapag-Lloyd builds momentum in Africa with expansion in Namibia, Rwanda and Burundi

Hapag-Lloyd is strengthening its presence in Southern and East Africa by establishing a local operation in Namibia and expanding its reach in East Africa through a new setup in Kigali serving customers in Rwanda and Burundi.

The developments are part of Hapag-Lloyd’s continued investment in Africa, where growing economies, expanding trade flows and stronger international connections are creating new opportunities. The company aims to bring its expertise and services closer to customers while strengthening connectivity across its regional and global network.

In Namibia, Hapag-Lloyd will establish its own office in Walvis Bay, creating a direct local presence in the market. In East Africa, the new Kigali setup will serve customers in both Rwanda and Burundi, strengthening the company’s coverage of the two landlocked countries and connecting them to its wider network.

The new presence in Rwanda and Burundi builds on Hapag-Lloyd’s existing connectivity through Dar es Salaam. The company currently operates two weekly services from the Tanzanian port, supporting imports and exports with direct connections to India and the Far East.

The Kigali setup will complement these services by bringing customer support and local market expertise closer to customers in Rwanda and Burundi while strengthening Hapag-Lloyd’s overall network across East Africa.

“Strengthening our presence in Namibia, Rwanda and Burundi is an important milestone in the continued development of Hapag-Lloyd in Africa,” said Jesper Kanstrup, Managing Director Sub-Region Africa at Hapag-Lloyd. “Africa is a highly diverse continent, and serving our customers successfully requires a strong understanding of the individual markets in which they operate. By strengthening our presence, we combine local industry knowledge and customer proximity with the reach of Hapag-Lloyd’s global network. Each market offers different opportunities, and this expansion reflects our long-term commitment to our customers and to Africa.”

As Hapag-Lloyd advances its Strategy 2030 goals, Africa remains a key part of the company’s growth plans. By investing in local teams, market expertise and customer relationships, Hapag-Lloyd is strengthening its ability to address the specific needs of African markets while connecting them to its global liner network.

The company’s developments in Namibia, Rwanda and Burundi represent another step in this expansion and underline its long-term commitment to strengthening its presence across the continent and supporting customers as their businesses grow.