Providing and end-to-end logistics chain

Freight patterns between the
Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC) and Zambia show the strong
inter-dependence of the economies
of these neighbouring countries
says Ronaldo Chilembo
of NIK International
Logistics.
Zambia serves
as the conduit
for the bulk
of DRC
exports.
In return
mining
equipment,
chemicals,
fuel and other
inputs travel
through Zambia
into the DRC.
Zambia also provides
food staples such as rice and
maize meal to the DRC Copperbelt.
Founded in 2004 in the DRC, NIK
has grown into a regional company
with offices in South Africa,
Zimbabwe, Zambia and the DRC.
“Our objective has been to create
a logistics chain from the DRC
to South Africa which we control
from end to end. This means that
clients do not have to worry about
their freight being handled
by a third party.
“Given that duty
rates, customs
clearance,
and entry
processes
vary from
country to
country,
expert local
knowledge is
critical.
“NIK
International has
the network and
the staff to handle these
challenges,” he says.
Services provided by NIK include
clearing and forwarding, SADC
certificates of origin, the movement
of cargo in bond, consolidation and
transport.