Competition isn’t waiting, neither should Nairobi

LOGISTICS UPDATE AFRICA

At the heart of Africa’s perishables trade, Nairobi stands as a logistics giant, moving thousands of tonnes of fresh flowers, fruits, and vegetables to global markets. With Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) serving as the primary export gateway, the city has become a key air cargo hub for Eastern and Central Africa.

But can Nairobi sustain its ambitious position as Africa’s logistics capital? Can its infrastructure, air freight capacity, and regulatory framework keep pace with growing export demands? While investments have transformed the city’s logistics landscape, challenges remain. Stakeholders across the supply chain — shippers, forwarders, handlers, airlines, and government agencies — must work together to unlock Nairobi’s full potential.

Nairobi’s strategic location, robust air connectivity, and well-developed cold chain infrastructure make it the undisputed hub for Africa’s perishables industry.

The city serves as a crucial link for exporters not just in Kenya, but across the region. Agayo Ogambi, CEO of the Shippers Council of Eastern Africa, highlights Nairobi’s economic and logistical significance, “Nairobi is the industrial city of Kenya, with 60 percent of port throughput destined for the city. This clearly shows its significance as a logistics hub for Eastern and Central Africa.”

“The contribution of Nairobi to the national economy is over 50 percent. It houses major financial institutions, UN agencies, and a growing number of businesses that rely on efficient logistics,” he adds.

With its well-established perishables trade, Nairobi boasts one of Africa’s most sophisticated cold chain ecosystems. Jessie Brar-Patel, CEO of Fresh Flow Logistics, notes the progress made over the years, “Nairobi’s freight forwarders have invested in their own infrastructure — cold storage, vacuum coolers, and solar-powered facilities — so we are no longer fully dependent on ground handlers for processing cargo.

” Infrastructure developments have further strengthened Nairobi’s position. Lasitha Perera, Head of Business Development & Commercial—Perishables at EFL Global, sees these advancements as crucial. “Infrastructure investments like the expressway and railway system have significantly improved logistics efficiency,” he said.

The expansion of warehousing facilities near JKIA and the Inland Container Depot (ICD) has strengthened Nairobi’s storage capacity, offering modern logistics solutions that cater to the growing perishables sector. “We have seen an enormous increase in modern warehousing facilities near JKIA and the ICD, which is a positive step for Nairobi’s logistics sector,” notes Ogambi.

The expansion of infrastructure in Nairobi, including the expressway, Southern Bypass, and the Eastern Bypass, demonstrates the city’s importance as a logistics and trade centre,” he adds.

Beyond road and rail, JKIA remains the crown jewel of Nairobi’s logistics sector. “JKIA has seen an increase in scheduled flights, with carriers like Lufthansa, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Emirates, Qatar, and Etihad expanding their operations, giving us more connectivity and opportunities to move perishables globally,” adds Brar-Patel.