Overview & Vision

DP World is a global logistics and ports operator headquartered in Dubai. In Rwanda, it runs the Kigali Logistics Platform (KLP), also known as DP World Kigali. The hub was designed to provide end-to-end logistics solutions and position Rwanda as a regional trade and logistics center.

Key Infrastructure & Capabilities
Kigali Logistics Platform

Inland dry port and logistics hub located about 20 km from Kigali, near the international airport.

Facilities include a container yard, warehousing, administrative buildings, and bonded storage.

Initial setup capacity:

12,000 m² container yard

19,600 m² of warehousing space

Cold storage for perishables

Non-bonded storage for general goods

Designed to handle up to 50,000 TEU annually.

Includes customs facilities, truck parking, and cargo handling equipment.

Border Facilities

Inland Container Depots (ICDs) at Rwanda’s border points (such as Rusizi and Gisenyi).

Services include container stuffing/de-stuffing, customs inspections, storage, and clearance.

Connected to regional seaports in Mombasa (Kenya) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).

Services

Clearing and forwarding (import/export, customs, documentation).

Transport and distribution (via an in-house trucking fleet).

Warehousing (bonded, non-bonded, and cold storage).

Customs and administrative one-stop services.

Real-time tracking through digital platforms.

Border operations and trade facilitation support.

Business & Concession

Rwanda granted DP World a 25-year concession in 2016 to build and operate the Kigali Logistics Platform.

Phase 1 cost about $35 million to develop.

Expansion is planned to increase capacity and add more facilities over time.

Impact, Strengths & Challenges
Impact

Reduced truck turnaround times in Kigali from over a week to just a few days.

Potential to save Rwandan businesses up to $50 million per year in logistics costs.

Provides landlocked Rwanda with reliable connections to seaports.

Supports exporters, especially in agriculture, with cold storage and efficient export processes.

Creates jobs and integrates local businesses into global supply chains.

Strengths

Integrated logistics solutions in one hub.

Strategic location near Kigali airport and major corridors.

Strong cold-chain capability for high-value exports.

Backed by DP World’s global expertise and networks.

Long concession allowing sustained investment.

Challenges

Need for high throughput volumes to sustain financial viability.

Competition from other regional logistics corridors.

Reliance on road, rail, and port infrastructure in neighboring countries.

Customs and regulatory coordination across borders.

Operational complexity of cold-chain logistics.

Continuous investment needed for expansion and upgrades.