OUR STORY
Our story began in 2017 with a simple mission: to make it easier for buyers around the world to access agri products from East Africa, hassle-free. We focused on building strong inland routes in the Mombasa and Dar es Salaam hinterlands, so our customers can rely on us to get the job done right. We're all about making the process smooth and straightforward!
At Spoondrift, we stand apart from the big players by focusing specifically on agricultural products like coffee, tea, and cacao. We prioritize quality in every step—from container preparation and transport lead times to suitable warehousing and prompt shipping dates. We believe in delivering exceptional service, ensuring quality is never compromised, unlike the cheap alternatives.
We’re proud to have built a happy customer base over the years, thanks to our in-house online tracking platform, Asili. Asili is tailored for agri products, providing details like moisture percentage, quality checks, fumigation info, and proof of food-grade containers. It also handles all the necessary documents from origin to sailing, plus shipment tracking across various shipping lines—all in one easy-to-use platform.
In addition, for exporters or buyers dealing with financial challenges between origin and the port of loading, we launched SDSA Investments in 2022. This initiative offers smart and quick financing solutions to ensure direct trade can still happen.
Since the beginning of 2024, all our companies have united under the Spoondrift umbrella, with our head office in South Africa and local teams in Nairobi, Kenya; Kigali, Rwanda; Bujumbura, Burundi; Kampala, Uganda; and at both Mombasa and Dar es Salaam ports.
OUR VISION
At Spoondrift Logistics, we aim to connect East Africa’s rich agricultural heritage with global markets. Our boutique logistics services ensure safe and efficient export of premium agri products, celebrating quality and sustainability. We are committed to empowering local exporters and entrepreneurs, while delivering transparency and efficiency to buyers worldwide. Together, we bridge continents and nourish communities.
OUR MISSION
At Spoondrift Logistics, our mission is to streamline the export of East Africa’s finest agricultural products directly to global buyers. We strive to eliminate middlemen, ensuring fair trade and better prices for farmers and local exporters. Our door-to-door logistics solutions facilitate seamless connections between exporters and buyers. Together, we support local communities while providing top-notch shipping quality and smooth logistics around the globe.
OUR TEAM
Meet our team—a mix of seasoned pros and dynamic young talent, all bringing fresh ideas to the table! We’re dedicated to delivering top-notch service for our customers, leveraging technology to enhance the East Africa export agri business. Together, we’re redefining our customer’s logistics experiences to make African products more accessible to the world.
Kathleen Tournel
MANAGING DIRECTOR
As the Founder and Managing Director of Spoondrift Group, Kathleen brings over a decade of experience in logistics and transportation, refined through studies in Logistics Management in Antwerp, Belgium - her home country - and extensive hands-on work in East Africa. She is passionate about navigating the complexities of shipping and inland transport, driven by the region's endless opportunities for improvement. What she cherishes most about her life in Africa are its breathtaking sunsets and the never ending potential for transformative growth.
Gary Bannatyne
DIRECTOR
Gary is proudly South African. He is involved in an exceptional collection of businesses driven by remarkable teams. He believes that strong partnerships with suppliers and customers are built on a shared commitment to efficiency and productivity.
Renée Myburg
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Renée is a dedicated food scientist and dynamic business developer, with a Master’s degree in Consumer Science, specialising in wine. Her versatile career has spanned roles in education and training, hospitality, event management, television production, food styling, and co-founding of a telecommunications company. Now focusing on logistics, Renée is passionate about devising innovative solutions that create a lasting, meaningful impact.
