At 27, Hamisi Tollah, a 2023 graduate of the National Institute of Transport (NIT), is seeking to build a logistics company that can capitalize on Tanzania's growing role as a gateway to landlocked markets in eastern and southern Africa. With a degree in logistics and transport management, Tollah aims to establish a Sh2.5 billion company, BigDollar Logistics Company Limited (BDL), focusing on transit cargo between Tanzania and neighboring countries.
Tollah's business plan outlines an initial investment of Sh2.5 billion for 10 trucks, with plans to expand to 50 trucks worth up to Sh11.8 billion. He estimates that the initial investment could be recovered within two years, while a 50-truck fleet could have a projected return period of between two and three years. BDL's services will include freight transportation, parcel delivery, warehousing, and vehicle rental and leasing.
The proposed company will target manufacturers, exporters and importers, mining firms, agribusinesses, and construction companies requiring reliable movement and storage of goods. Tollah's experience working with established logistics companies has helped him identify challenges in the sector, including vehicle breakdowns, high operating costs, and cargo theft. He plans to use fleet-management systems and data to monitor vehicles and improve delivery reliability.
Tollah's primary focus is the transit market, which he believes offers opportunities due to Tanzania's access to the Indian Ocean for several landlocked countries, including Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, and Burundi. The company will transport cargo from Dar es Salaam to destinations such as Ndola in Zambia and handle domestic cargo between Dar es Salaam and other Tanzanian cities.
Industries such as mining, manufacturing, and agribusiness generate demand for the movement of raw materials and finished goods across borders. Tollah's business model goes beyond trucking, offering freight brokerage and partnerships with other transport and logistics companies. He is now seeking investors capable of financing the purchase of between 10 and 50 trucks.
According to Tollah, his experience with companies operating fleets of up to 400 trucks has exposed him to fleet management, customer relations, and contract acquisition. He has a logistics network, team, customer base, tracking systems, and high professional driver management, which he believes are key to turning targets into business results.
The project represents more than the establishment of another trucking company for Tollah, who sees it as a chance for a young Tanzanian entrepreneur to participate in the logistics infrastructure underpinning Tanzania's regional trade ambitions. He aims to build a high-quality logistics company that can grow with the regional market and provide reliable solutions to customers, capitalizing on opportunities outlined in Tanzania's Vision 2050.
Key points
- Hamisi Tollah plans to establish a Sh2.5 billion logistics company, BigDollar Logistics Company Limited (BDL), to tap into growing regional trade.
- The company will target manufacturers, exporters and importers, mining firms, agribusinesses, and construction companies requiring reliable movement and storage of goods.
- Tollah aims to capitalize on opportunities outlined in Tanzania's Vision 2050, focusing on integrated logistics, industrialization, and regional economic integration.
