Transportation Sector in Mozambique: Motrabro Logistics Services

Interview with Luis Roque Aguiar, Commercial and Development Manager at Motrabro

Could you give us your assessment of the transportation sector in Mozambique?

Concerning the transportation sector in Mozambique, I can say it has been growing substantially, following the internationalization trend of the country, the economical and mining sector growth, among other things. The need for transportation is getting bigger, that is why we currently have so many transport companies. Unfortunately, the smaller ones ended up losing themselves to the bigger ones, but in general the transportation sector is booming in Mozambique.

Do you think it will keep growing alongside the economy?

There is a great potential here. The need for transportation will always be there because we need to carry things from the ports to the mines, or to other countries, and that is the service we are actually providing. Africa is becoming the source of raw materials to the world.

We have been in the market for 7 years and people no longer consider us brokers as we have managed to buy our own equipment and opened other branches in Nacala, Tete, Beira, Quelimane and lately in Johannesburg.

What is the major industry connected to the transportation sector?

Currently, the mining industry, but we are also very busy with shipments to countries like Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe. They seek ocean access to import and export products. Mozambique attends that need and our company aids them to carry the products from our ports to their final destinations.

Can you present your company and services?

Motrabro was founded by me, together with 2 friends, with 100% Mozambican capital. At the time I was working for a big logistic group, but I felt the need to open my own business, so, me and my friends got together and we opened a small office to offer transportation services. We have been in the market for 7 years and people no longer consider us brokers as we have managed to buy our own equipment and opened other branches in Nacala, Tete, Beira, Quelimane and lately in Johannesburg. The small company is no longer small and we are now considered a medium company. We have our own trucks. It is not yet a fleet because we only have around 8 trucks, but we are getting there and we expect to have between 20 and 25 trucks soon.

What is the main advantage of your company, comparing to others?

I normally say that since we are a small to medium company, we don’t have a heavy financial structure, for that reason we are able to offer better prices to clients. We are competitive. Furthermore, I have a lot of experience in logistics, I know what the clients need and how strict many companies are in terms of service and I can teach this to our team. We train our own staff, many of them never worked in the logistics area, so we have that advantage; they are a clean slate. The clients see us as a different approach to other companies. We are professional and we keep our clients updated on the cargo and services hired.

Do you think you have enough clients? Do you consider you are growing as a company?

I wouldn’t say we have enough clients, we need more business revenue, but we have been surviving, considering the money we now have, and which is financing our business core, but, sometimes we have to reject some projects due to the lack of money, so we definitely don’t have enough clients yet.

Would you be available to discuss investments and if so, what type?

We are opened to investments and we have been approached by some international groups, such as a German company, at the beginning of this year, who wanted to buy our whole business. But we haven’t seen things eye-to-eye. We are looking for partnerships and investors who are already in the sector and who can bring further work to our company.

What is the biggest challenge for the transportation sector here in Mozambique?

The biggest problem for the sector are the roads and access points, when the rainy season comes it’s a mess, although it has been improving in these last years, there is always room for improvement.

What is your vision on the growth of Mozambique and the mining sector?

In terms of economic growth, I am certain that this country is going to reach its highest potential. A few years ago we weren’t exporting and now we export minerals. Obviously, this will have a direct impact in our income and things will change for the better, but how long will it take for us to start benefiting from that? I don’t now, but it will, for sure, develop.

Where do you see the company in 2 years?

I would like to franchise our brand to certain regions, having Motrabro offices in major cities of Africa. When there is the need for assistance in Zimbabwe, Malawi or Zambia, a company like ours has to be used, so if we can have small branches in these places we would be able to cover a bigger region, and I would be very proud of myself for that. To be an African company that managed to endeavor.