Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

Africa Link Cargo Ltd ("Africa Link Cargo", "we", "us") is a logistics company moving goods between China and Rwanda, the DR Congo, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. We run the website www.africalinkcargo.com and the Africa Link Cargo mobile app (together, our "Services").

This policy explains what personal information we collect, why, and what your choices are. By using our Services, you agree to it.

2. What we collect

When you use the app:

• Your phone number (used to sign you in with a one-time code sent on WhatsApp).
• Your account profile: name, branch (Kigali or Bukavu) and language.
• Your shipment history: packages, containers, tracking stages, packing lists and invoices.
• Your money records: transfers, supplier payments, cash advance requests and your running balance.
• Notes you write to our staff, for example when choosing packages for the next container.
• Basic technical data, such as device type, app version and the notification token we need to send you alerts.

When you contact us on the website or WhatsApp:

• Your name, email address, subject and message, plus any details you choose to share about your goods or order.

When you apply for a Chinese visa through us:

• Passport details, date and place of birth, nationality, gender, marital status, religion (optional) and address.
• Contact details, travel dates, itinerary, purpose of visit, and past visa refusals.
• Employer or school details, income, emergency contact and family details.
• Military service and criminal record answers (these are sensitive, and the visa form asks for them).

Automatically on our website:

• Standard technical information such as IP address, browser type and pages visited, so we can keep the site working and secure.

3. Why we use your information

• To open and run your account, and let you sign in safely.
• To receive, ship, track, clear and deliver your goods.
• To process supplier payments, transfers, cash advances, invoices and exchange rates.
• To process your visa application and talk to you about next steps.
• To send you updates, such as tracking changes or when a cash advance is approved.
• To answer your questions and give you quotes.
• To prevent fraud, keep our systems secure and improve our Services.
• To meet legal duties, such as customs, tax, accounting and anti-money-laundering rules.

4. Who we share it with

We do not sell your data. We share it only when needed to deliver what you asked for:

• Our own teams and offices in Rwanda, China and the DR Congo who handle your goods and account.
• Carriers and partners such as shipping lines, airlines, trucking companies, warehouses and couriers.
• Customs and government authorities where clearing goods or the law requires it.
• Banks and payment providers when we send money to suppliers or receive your payments.
• Embassies, consulates and inviting parties when you apply for a visa.
• Service providers that help us run the website and app, including WhatsApp (Meta) for sign-in codes and messages. They may only use your data for our purposes.
• Authorities or advisers when required by law or to protect our rights.

5. Sending data abroad

Our business crosses borders, so your information may be handled in Rwanda, China and other countries along your shipment route. When data leaves Rwanda we do it as Rwandan law allows, with your consent, where it is needed to carry out your request, or with the safeguards the law requires.

6. How long we keep it

We keep your information only as long as we need it for the reasons above. In general, account and shipment records are kept while your account is active and for several years afterwards for accounting, tax and customs purposes. Visa application details are kept only as long as needed to complete the application and any follow-up. When we no longer need data, we delete it or make it anonymous.

7. How we protect it

We use sensible security measures: passwordless sign-in with one-time codes, access limited to staff who need it, and secure systems. No system is 100% safe, so if something goes wrong that affects you, we will tell you and the authorities as the law requires.

8. Your rights

Under Rwanda's data protection law (Law No. 058/2021) and similar rules where you live, you can:

• Ask what information we hold about you and get a copy.
• Ask us to correct anything wrong or out of date.
• Ask us to delete your information, or limit how we use it, where the law allows.
• Object to certain uses, or withdraw your consent at any time.
• Complain to the authority: Rwanda's National Cyber Security Authority (NCSA).

To use any of these rights, contact us (details below). We will reply within a reasonable time, normally within 30 days. We may need to check it is really you first.

9. Deleting your account

Because accounts are opened by our office, you can ask us to close yours at any time by messaging us on WhatsApp or emailing info@africalinkcargo.com. We will delete or anonymise your data, except records we must keep by law (for example invoices and customs records).

10. App permissions

The app asks for as little as possible. It may use internet access, notifications (to tell you about shipment and cash advance updates) and storage (to save invoices and packing lists you download). We do not sell your location or contacts, and we do not use your data for advertising.

11. Cookies on our website

Our website may use small files (cookies) that make it work properly and remember simple settings. You can block cookies in your browser; some parts of the site may then not work as expected.

12. Children

Our Services are for adults and businesses. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 18, except when a parent or guardian includes it in a visa application they submit.

13. Other websites

Our site links to other services such as WhatsApp, Google Maps and Google Play. They have their own privacy policies, and we are not responsible for them.

14. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. We will change the date at the top and, for important changes, tell you in the app or on our website.

15. Contact us

Africa Link Cargo Ltd
Kigali, Rwanda, CHIC BUILDING, 2nd Floor, Room 42A/B
Email: info@africalinkcargo.com
WhatsApp / Phone: +86 131 2829 4256