Interview by Carlos Kpodiefin
1. Could you introduce yourself to our readers and walk us through your career path, highlighting the key milestones that led you to leadership positions?
My name is Nancy Bagniakana, I am Congolese, based in Pointe-Noire. Today, I am a company executive, leading Hapag-Lloyd Congo, the world’s 5th largest shipping company. I have been working for 15 years to connect cities and capitals of Central Africa with the rest of the world.
If I had to highlight three key moments in my career, I would first say that one of the foundational elements dates back to my childhood. I was fortunate to have a father who worked throughout his career in the maritime world, both at sea and in port operations, and a mother who also built her career in the logistics sector. From a very young age, I stepped aboard different types of ships with my siblings and discovered the world of maritime transport through a child’s eyes. By taking me to the Port of Pointe-Noire where he worked, my father clearly planted a seed in me.
The second key moment was in 2012, marking my professional return to Pointe-Noire. After completing my studies in logistics and maritime transport in France, I joined the Dutch shipping company Niledutch in Antwerp. I quickly had the opportunity to join the Pointe-Noire office at a time when the then Managing Director was building his team and was keen to recruit Congolese talent. There, I met the General Manager, who became a role model and mentor, and who trusted me. With him, I learned to operate in an international environment, meeting the standards and expectations of a large group while understanding the realities on the ground and the specific challenges of the Congolese context. He also encouraged me to step خارج my comfort zone. He emphasized the importance of deeply understanding operations: going into the field, to the port, and engaging with operational teams. This experience profoundly shaped the way I manage today.
The third key moment came in July 2025, when I was appointed to lead Hapag-Lloyd Congo. It is a challenge that crowns 15 years of experience in the field. It is both a major responsibility and a recognition of the work accomplished over the years.
2. From Pointe-Noire, you manage the operations of one of the world’s leading shipping companies. What are your main responsibilities today, and how do you balance global standards with the realities of the African market?
As the head of Hapag-Lloyd Congo, my responsibility is to lead my teams in achieving our strategic objectives. My role requires finding the right balance between the standards of an international group and the realities on the ground, which are unique to each market. Like everywhere else, this demands agility and adaptability—without ever compromising the quality of our work or a value that is very important to me: integrity.
It also requires a strong ability to communicate and educate all my stakeholders, both locally and internationally. On a daily basis, I advise and support our clients. My actions must help us increase our market share and, above all, accelerate the development of the maritime transport sector in Congo, contributing to the influence of the Port of Pointe-Noire.
To read more, click on the following link : https://logistafrica.com/en/highlights/female-leadership-nancy-bagniakana-from-a-port-child-to-managing-director-of-hapag-lloyd-congo/
