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

• New offices will strengthen Hapag-Lloyd’s local presence in Namibia, Rwanda and Burundi
• Stronger local setup brings Hapag-Lloyd closer to customers in Southern and East Africa
• New offices underline Hapag-Lloyd’s long-term commitment to growth in Africa

Hapag-Lloyd is further strengthening its presence in Africa with new offices supporting customers in Namibia, Rwanda and Burundi, marking the latest step in the continued growth of its organization across the continent.

From October 1, 2026, Hapag-Lloyd will establish its own local presence in Namibia and expand its reach in East Africa through a new setup in Kigali serving customers in both Rwanda and Burundi. Together, the developments strengthen Hapag-Lloyd’s organization across Southern and East Africa, bringing the company closer to customers and reinforcing its ability to combine local market expertise with the reach of its African and global network.

Africa continues to play an increasingly important role in global trade, supported by growing economies, expanding trade flows and stronger connections with markets around the world. The continent’s evolving supply chains and increasing demand for reliable international connectivity are creating new opportunities for businesses and communities. For Hapag-Lloyd, these developments reinforce the importance of being closer to African markets and customers, supported by continued investment in local expertise, capabilities and network connectivity.

This continued investment is reflected in Hapag-Lloyd’s strengthened presence in Southern and East Africa. In Namibia, a new Hapag-Lloyd office in Walvis Bay establishes the company’s own local presence in the market. In East Africa, a new setup in Kigali will serve customers in both Rwanda and Burundi, strengthening Hapag-Lloyd’s reach into two landlocked markets and connecting them with the company’s regional and global network.

For Rwanda and Burundi, the new presence builds on Hapag-Lloyd’s existing connectivity in East Africa. Through Dar es Salaam, Hapag-Lloyd offers two weekly services supporting imports and exports, with direct connections to India and the Far East. The Kigali setup complements this network by bringing customer support and market expertise closer to customers in both markets.

“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 continues to deliver on its Strategy 2030 ambitions, Africa remains an important part of the company’s growth journey. By investing in local teams and market expertise, and working closely with customers, authorities and partners, Hapag-Lloyd aims to build an organization that can respond to the distinct needs of African markets while connecting them to its global liner network. The developments in Namibia, Rwanda and Burundi mark another step in that journey and reflect Hapag-Lloyd’s long-term commitment to growing together with its customers across the continent.