November 27, 2025
In a groundbreaking move to modernize East Africa’s busiest maritime gateway, DP World has launched a state-of-the-art Port Community System (PCS) at the Port of Mombasa, Kenya. This digital platform marks a significant stride in transforming cargo clearance processes and streamlining trade logistics across East and Central Africa, regions reliant on Mombasa as a vital trade route.
Serving over a dozen landlocked countries, the Port of Mombasa handles an immense volume of imports and exports. The introduction of PCS comes as a crucial development to elevate the port’s operational efficiency and regional trade competitiveness.
Developed collaboratively with EMEA Port Logistics, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), and the Government of Kenya, the PCS provides a unified interface accessible to all port stakeholders, including public and private sector users. Though DP World does not directly operate the port, this system empowers importers, exporters, freight forwarders, transport companies, and customs brokers with digital tools such as real-time cargo tracking, gate booking, billing, payments, and status updates.
Mahmood Albastaki, Chief Operating Officer of Digital Trade Solutions at DP World, emphasized the system’s transformative potential: “Digitisation is no longer optional; it’s essential for unlocking the full potential of African trade. By introducing this platform in Kenya, we are connecting Africa’s ports to the digital economy and setting a new regional benchmark for transparency and integration.”
The Kenya Ports Authority has championed the new digital tools to facilitate smarter gate operations and more efficient cargo movement, planning to significantly reduce cargo dwell times and associated costs.
Expectations are high that once fully operational, the PCS will reduce cargo clearance times by up to 30%, benefiting around 3,000 users annually. This accelerated throughput promises to boost trade volumes and decrease bottlenecks, thereby enhancing Kenya’s position as a critical maritime hub.
This digitalization effort integrates seamlessly with Kenya’s broader Vision 2030 development agenda, which seeks to promote a digitally driven economy and modernize infrastructure to support sustainable growth.
The PCS also aligns with DP World’s expansive vision for Africa’s digital trade ecosystem, connecting ports from the Indian Ocean all the way to the Atlantic, alongside key inland logistics hubs. Its integration with Kenya’s e-Citizen platform further streamlines customs and government trade services, fostering a data-driven, transparent trade environment.