Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and the business
community in Mombasa on Tuesday / BRIAN OTIENOMombasa is not just a tourist destination but a county with vast business potential, the business community has said.
They said this ahead of the first International Trade and Logistics Summit, scheduled for October 27–28 in Mombasa. The meeting is expected to bring together more than 1,000 traders from across the world, positioning Mombasa as a top trade and logistics hub in the region.
Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said Mombasa’s economy is heavily anchored on the logistics sector, which covers cargo transportation by land and sea, warehousing and other auxiliary services.
Growth in this sector, he said, will not only expand the county’s
economy but also create jobs for the youth, curbing unemployment-related ills
such as crime, drug abuse and sex work.
“We want to put Mombasa at the frontline of the global trade and logistics sector, so that residents can see and feel the benefits of the port and related industries,” Nassir said.
Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (Kifwa) Mombasa chairperson Rajab Hamis said the idea of the summit was born after benchmarking at a similar conference in Zanzibar. He said the county must now push to be ranked not just as a tourism hub but also as a business and investment destination.
“We want people to come here not only for leisure but also to invest. Mombasa has immense untapped opportunities,” Hamis said, adding that the summit will be a game changer for the region’s economy.
The county government, Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Transporters Association, and the Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa are among the biggest sponsors. Organisers say the event will become annual, showcasing Mombasa’s innovation, invention and trade potential.
KNCCI Mombasa chapter chairman Aboud Jamal said the summit is about reaffirming Mombasa’s position on the global map as a logistics hub.
“We want our voice heard louder so as to attract more international business leaders, industries, logisticians and investors,” he said.
Jamal said the platform will allow Kenyan traders and entrepreneurs to network, strike business deals and collaborate with global counterparts.
Kifwa national secretary Musa Ambira said the event is also symbolic. After the long battle to retain port services in Mombasa, the county must now push to become East and Central Africa’s trade nerve centre.
“This summit will attract global heavyweights in the logistics sector. Our youth must seize the chance to learn and engage—it could be their breakthrough,” he said.
Stakeholders also said technology will be central. Logistician Feizal Lasker noted that logistics is rapidly evolving, with AI and drones already transforming cargo delivery in markets such as Dubai and China.
Delegations from Asia and the Middle East will showcase drone delivery technologies, while participants from North Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan will share insights on adapting new innovations.
“This event is not just about trade—it is about preparing Mombasa and the entire region for the future of logistics,” Lasker said.
Registration for the summit is ongoing at www.itls.co.ke.
Instant Analysis:
The logistics sector in Mombasa is a crucial part of East Africa Community’s trade, anchored by the Port of Mombasa and supported by road, rail, sea and air transport. Key services include port operations, freight forwarding, clearing and forwarding, cargo consolidation, warehousing and fleet management. The sector faces challenges such as rising costs of fuel and environmental concerns but is increasingly adopting green supply chain practices to enhance efficiency and sustainability.
