Swissport targets flourishing African perishables market with Kilimanjaro investment

Cargo handler Swissport has invested in a new cold chain facility at Kilimanjaro International Airport to cater for growing perishables volumes in East Africa and as it continues its expansion on the continent.

Swissport said the new 630 sq m facility has been developed to meet growing demand from exporters across Tanzania’s Northern Circuit, one of East Africa’s leading horticultural production regions.

It also addresses longstanding capacity constraints and provides a modern replacement for the airport’s previous cargo facility, which had served the industry since 1998, the company added in a press release.

The facility features four temperature-controlled chillers and one freezer, supporting storage temperatures from +2°C to +25°C, alongside dedicated frozen storage between -10°C and -20°C.

The facility is designed to handle up to 13,000 tons of cargo annually and can accommodate up to 36 built-up cargo pallets, equivalent to approximately 180 tons of cargo.

“It significantly enhances Swissport’s ability to handle perishable exports such as flowers, fresh produce, seafood, meat, and other temperature-sensitive products, while providing additional capability for pharmaceutical shipments and other temperature-sensitive cargo,” the company explained.

Dirk Goovaerts, Swissport chief executive for continental Europe, Middle East, Africa & India, and Global Cargo Chair, said: “As demand for perishables and other temperature-sensitive shipments continues to grow across Africa, customers increasingly value partners that combine local expertise with consistent global operating standards.

“This facility forms part of our broader strategy to invest in modern cargo infrastructure across Africa, supporting the safe and efficient handling of temperature-sensitive shipments.”

The facility also incorporates advanced digital technologies, including an Integrated Weighing System connected to Swissport’s cargo management platform, mobile cargo scanning, and automated cargo tracking capabilities.

African expansion

The handler has been expanding its presence in Africa in recent years.

In May 2026, the company announced the acquisition of Swiftair Maroc Acquisition that enabled it to enter Morocco’s air cargo market.

The deal secures a 3,700-square-meter airside warehouse at Mohammed V International Airport.

Meanwhile, earlier in 2026, the company acquired a majority stake in CV Handling to extend ground and cargo operations across seven airports in Cabo Verde.

And in 2023, the company e xpanded ground and logistics services to Moi International Airport in Kenya.

“This investment forms part of Swissport’s broader strategy to expand specialised cargo infrastructure at key air cargo gateways across Africa,” the company said of the Tanzania investment.

“In East Africa, the Kilimanjaro facility complements Swissport’s established cargo operations in Dar es Salaam and forms part of a broader African cargo network that includes key gateways such as Johannesburg, Nairobi, and Accra.”

In 2025, Swissport’s African operations handled around 387,000 tonnes of cargo, driven by demand for perishables, essential goods, and e-commerce shipments.