Viaservice Kenya and Capital Pay partner to reduce logistics costs for South Sudan traders

Viaservice Kenya and Capital Pay International have partnered to lower logistics costs for traders in South Sudan. 

The integrated systems will allow for real-time cargo monitoring, improving visibility, transparency, and traceability in the logistics process.

This collaboration combines Capital Pay’s expertise in digital and financial management with Viaservice’s global leadership in digital trade facilitation and trade finance, unlocking new opportunities for more seamless and efficient trade.

John Mathenge, Managing Director of Viaservice, said, “This partnership marks an important milestone for the logistics ecosystem in East Africa. By addressing container deposit challenges through the Viaservice Container Solution, we are creating a more efficient, transparent, and accountable system that directly benefits shippers, freight forwarders, and shipping lines.”

Addressing container deposit barriers

The partnership targets the elimination of the $5,000 container deposit fees that shippers currently face when moving cargo to and from South Sudan via the Port of Mombasa in Kenya. Viaservice, a subsidiary of the Swiss-based Viatrans Group, will deploy its digital trade facilitation and financing solution, Viaservice Container Solution (VCS), to tackle this non-tariff barrier.

VCS eliminates the need for cash deposits traditionally required by shipping lines, while safeguarding the commercial interests of shippers, clearing and forwarding agents, shipping lines, and other stakeholders across the logistics chain.

By removing this structural constraint, the solution enhances working capital availability, improves operational efficiency, and strengthens the competitiveness of trade flows serving South Sudan.

Morgan Lepinoy, Global Head of Trade Facilitation at Viatrans, said, “Our ambition is clear: to bring global best practices in digital trade facilitation to East Africa and remove structural barriers that slow trade down. Through this collaboration with Capital Pay International, we are strengthening the South Sudan corridor with a transparent, reliable, and scalable system. The result is a logistics environment that is more efficient, more accountable, and significantly more competitive for everyone moving cargo through the corridor.”

Tackling regional logistics challenges

This partnership directly addresses several challenges faced by shippers and freight forwarders in the region. These are as follows. 

Container deposit challenges. High deposit requirements impose significant financial strain and administrative burdens on traders and freight operators. The partnership’s digital system eliminates the container deposit requirement when clearing containers at the Port of Mombasa, managing payments to shipping lines through the platform.

Operational inefficiencies. The collaboration uses technology to improve transparency and speed up container logistics, benefiting shipping lines, freight forwarders, and shippers.

Limited cargo visibility. The digital tracking system provides real-time container monitoring, improving visibility, transparency, and accountability. This reduces risks of loss, mismanagement, and disputes while strengthening trust among logistics stakeholders.

Improved container turnaround. The partnership enables faster container turnaround times, helping reduce congestion and improve operational efficiency.

Alvin Okari, Chief Executive Officer of Capital Pay East Africa, added, “For South Sudan shippers and freight forwarders, this partnership means reduced costs, improved accountability, and real-time visibility of their cargo. By integrating our Digital Tracking System with Viaservice’s logistics expertise, we are setting a new standard for container management across the region while giving shipping lines the assurance of faster container turnaround and greater operational efficiency.”

Beyond benefiting South Sudanese trade, the partnership strengthens the broader East African logistics ecosystem, positioning the region as a more competitive hub for trade and cargo management.