Swissport Tanzania has opened a high-capacity export storage hub at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Launched on Saturday, August 8, 2026, the facility can store thirty containers of perishable produce and service five cargo freighters concurrently, expanding international market access for agricultural exporters in the region.
A new temperature-controlled logistics hub at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) aims to reshape how perishable goods from Tanzania reach international buyers. Swissport Tanzania launched the modern facility to handle sensitive agricultural freight, including fresh vegetables, flowers, fruit, and meat destined for European markets and other global destinations.
Kilimanjaro Facility Expands Freight Capacity and Cold Storage
The newly unveiled warehouse is designed to maintain strict temperature controls for agricultural commodities, ensuring that perishable goods remain fresh throughout the transport chain. The facility has a storage footprint capable of holding 30 containers of produce simultaneously. Furthermore, airport infrastructure has been expanded to service five cargo aircraft concurrently, addressing a logistical bottleneck for regional exporters.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Saturday, August 8, 2026, Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) Director General Mr Abdul Mombokaleo emphasized the broader economic implications of the infrastructure upgrade. He noted that freight operations are just as vital to aviation development as passenger services, describing the launch as a tremendous economic step forward for the nation.
“This is a very major milestone for us in aviation; transport activities also encompass freight operations alongside passenger services. This marks a tremendous economic step forward for our nation,”
Mr Abdul Mombokaleo, Tanzania Airports Authority Director General, via Thecitizen
Mr Mombokaleo noted that the hub will preserve various agricultural items, adding value across the entire transport logistics chain both domestically and internationally. He stated that from that day onwards, produce like vegetables, fruit, and meat can be safely stored there, loaded onto planes, and transported to various destinations globally. Furthermore, he urged farmers and entrepreneurs to leverage this opportunity to boost incomes and contribute towards driving the nation’s economic growth, noting that the warehouse facility can service five freighters at once in terms of cargo and containers and is an opportunity Tanzanians ought to utilise.
Strategic Vision and Regional Economic Impact
The Kilimanjaro hub complements Swissport’s existing cargo operations in Dar es Salaam, though this larger facility focuses specifically on produce from the region to help export and distribute it to various international markets. Swissport Tanzania board director Mr Raymond Mbilinyi detailed the company’s long-term planning during the launch event, noting that the hub will facilitate storing and exporting goods produced across Northern Zone regions to various markets worldwide.
“Today we are delighted to unveil our export storage facility. We have another hub in Dar es Salaam, but this larger facility focuses specifically on produce from this region to help export and distribute it to various international markets,”
Mr Raymond Mbilinyi, Swissport Tanzania Board Director, via Thecitizen
Mr Mbilinyi added that Swissport Tanzania has outlined a vision targeting 2050, featuring a strategic plan to boost agricultural output, especially flowers, vegetables, and meat, for local and export markets. He stated that the investment exemplifies a real-world initiative connecting people and commerce, expressing sincere thanks to Swissport for expanding the opportunity, enabling competition not only in passenger transport or flight operations, but also in direct trade to Europe and other global destinations as a massive leap forward.
Swissport Tanzania acting chief executive officer Mr Joshua Jonas affirmed that the firm will continue collaborating with aviation stakeholders to ensure transport infrastructure and ground services keep improving. He noted that as aviation stakeholders operating within Swissport’s scope and the broader air transport sector, they recognise the immense need to keep investing in infrastructure and services to enable Tanzanian exports to reach global markets more efficiently.
Worth a look