Online transport and logistics firm, Apexloads has signed an agreement with Shelogistics and Transport Association in a move expected to increase women participation in the industry.
Under the memorandum of understanding signed between the two firms, Apexloads targets to onboard at least 600 members allied to the association on its platform which helps to connect consumers to verified freight forwarders, brokers and transporters.
“Credibility is the currency in logistics. It involves highly valuable cargo and you don’t want to work with people you cant’ trust. As a young company, our customers are the industry and they are not going to use your platform just because you have a cool platform,” said Charles Thuo, Apexloads Founder and Chief Executive Officer.
According to industry estimates, Kenya’s transport and logistics sector is majorly dominated by men, whereas women make up less than 10pc of those in the trade.
“Logistics is purely male dominated and we are a body in Kenya to stand for the women in logistics and transport. With this MoU we will empower our members who are women,” said Ann Mureithi, Shelogistics and Transport Association National Chairperson.
A report by the World Bank released early this years, shows that women are significantly underrepresented in the global transport sector workforce, comprising of only 12pc of transportation and storage workers worldwide, a factor which limits diverse perspectives in service design and decision-making, negatively affects businesses and undermines economic growth.
“The number of women-led businesses in logistics is less than 10pc. Majority of those who are even there are in partnership with a man, whether is a husband or a business partner and the number even become less. What we are trying to do is to influence women in the supply chain as a whole which logics and transport falls under to be more brave take bigger roles,” added Dorice Mwenesi, Shelogistics and Transport Association Secretary General.
Through the platform, Apexloads also targets to expand the number of verified subscribers from the current 14,000 spread across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
