Swissport has opened a new 630-square-metre temperature-controlled cargo facility at Kilimanjaro International Airport, strengthening cold-chain infrastructure for Tanzania’s growing perishables export sector and expanding the ground handler’s cargo network in Africa.
The facility has been developed to serve exporters in Tanzania’s Northern Circuit, a major horticultural production region. It replaces the airport’s previous cargo facility, which had been operating since 1998, and is designed to address capacity constraints while improving the handling of temperature-sensitive shipments.
The new centre includes four temperature-controlled chillers and one freezer. Chilled cargo can be handled at temperatures ranging from +2°C to +25°C, while frozen shipments can be stored between -10°C and -20°C. The facility can handle up to 13,000 tonnes of cargo annually and accommodate as many as 36 built-up pallets, equivalent to about 180 tonnes of freight.
The infrastructure is designed to support a range of perishables, including flowers, fresh produce, seafood and meat, as well as pharmaceuticals and other temperature-sensitive goods. Improved cold-chain capabilities are expected to help exporters maintain product quality and gain more reliable access to international markets.
Swissport has also incorporated digital systems into the facility, including an Integrated Weighing System, mobile cargo scanning and automated shipment tracking. These technologies are intended to improve cargo visibility, traceability and processing efficiency.
The investment forms part of Swissport’s broader strategy to expand specialist cargo infrastructure across Africa. The company handled around 387,000 tonnes of cargo across its African operations in 2025, with demand driven by perishables, essential goods and e-commerce shipments.
The Kilimanjaro facility complements Swissport’s existing cargo operations in Dar es Salaam and its wider African network, which includes major gateways such as Nairobi, Johannesburg and Accra. The company says strengthening cold-chain infrastructure is increasingly important as African exporters seek to expand international trade in temperature-sensitive products.
Swissport’s investment is expected to support Tanzania’s horticulture and agricultural export industries while strengthening Kilimanjaro International Airport’s role as an important air-cargo gateway for East Africa.