Increased demand for the
transport of fast moving
consumer goods is a sign that
Mozambican spending power
is recovering.
“The market has been rather flat
over the last 18-24 months, but we
have seen quite an improvement
just recently, with some of our
South African FMCG customers
picking up their volumes,”
says Eugene Duvenage, Africa
development manager at Rohlig-
Grindrod.
The company has introduced
a cross-border service, offering
the full spectrum of trucking
solutions – from one kilogram
consolidations to full superlink
loads.
“This complements the regular
full truck loads we run crossborder
for our existing customers,”
he says.
Rohlig-Grindrod recently
invested in two new superlink
combinations, which operate
between Johannesburg and
Maputo twice weekly in support of
a major customer’s requirements.
“It is planned to expand this
fleet to service Botswana and
Namibia in the very near future,”
says Duvenage.
Since establishing an office in
Mozambique in 2004 Rohlig-
Grindrod has opened offices
in Maputo, Beira, Nacala,
Tete, Maputo International
Airport, and KM4. Cross–border
operations between South
Africa and Mozambique are
also supported by an office at
Komatipoort.
The company employs 46 staff
members. Of these 45, including
top management, are Mozambican
citizens.
Amilcar Mafuiane is the country
manager.
“This is directly in line with the
Rohlig-Grindrod empowerment
strategy across all sectors and
countries,” he says.
The economic downturn
remains a concern but Duvenage
believes there are opportunities in
Mozambique for companies that
are able to adapt.
The oil and gas sector is bound
to regain traction at some stage,
but we are not sitting around
waiting for that to happen and are
focusing on solutions tailored to
our customers’ needs.
“This could include anything
from expanding our cross-border
trucking operations to bulk
vessel imports and exports of
commodities such as steel,” he says.
Signs that consumer spending power is returning
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