DHL’s Strategic Investment in Sub-Saharan Africa: Unlocking New Opportunities
DHL Group has recently announced a staggering investment plan exceeding €300 million in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), marking a pivotal step in bolstering its presence in a region increasingly deemed vital in global trade dynamics. This multi-year initiative will span across DHL Express, DHL Global Forwarding, and DHL Supply Chain, aiming to enhance the infrastructure and service capabilities necessary to unlock opportunities for businesses across key sectors such as e-commerce, perishables, energy, and life sciences & healthcare.
The Growing Trade Landscape in Africa
As regional integration accelerates through initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Africa is witnessing a surge in trade opportunities. The AfCFTA is creating a continental market that can enhance intra-African commerce and open new routes to the global market. Recent updates from the DHL Global Connectedness Tracker show that Sub-Saharan Africa experienced a remarkable 10% year-on-year increase in trade value in the first half of 2025, outperforming regions like North America and South America. With projections suggesting an average trade volume growth of 4.3% annually from 2025 to 2029, the region is poised to become a global trade powerhouse.
Commitment to Africa’s Future
DHL’s long-term commitment to Africa’s trade journey is underscored by John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express, who emphasized the continent’s resilience and momentum despite global uncertainties. By enhancing DHL’s network and capabilities, the investment aims to empower African businesses—ranging from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to large corporates—enabling them to compete more effectively on the global stage.
Upgrading Infrastructure and Service Capabilities
The investment primarily focuses on upgrading existing infrastructure within DHL Express. This includes enhancements to gateways, increasing aviation capacity, and extending time-definite service coverage to secondary cities that are emerging as key demand centers. Unique in its air network across Sub-Saharan Africa, DHL Express plans to integrate these cities more closely with major lanes connecting Africa to Europe and Asia, building on recent successes in countries such as Ethiopia and Nigeria.
Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighted the importance of improving predictability in transit times and delivery performance. By enhancing local service levels, DHL aims to foster a more competitive environment for African firms engaged in cross-border trade.
Targeting Industry-Specific Solutions
DHL Global Forwarding’s strategy focuses on reinforcing its capabilities in key industry sectors that are driving Africa’s trade growth. The company plans to broaden its expertise in energy projects, cold-chain logistics for perishable goods, and specialized transport capabilities in life sciences and healthcare. This investment aims to address the growing demand for reliable logistics solutions as African businesses connect more effectively with major global markets.
Amadou Diallo, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding Middle East & Africa, pointed out that as trade patterns and regulatory requirements evolve, the need for reliability and visibility in logistics has never been greater. By enhancing local expertise and deploying advanced digital tools, DHL aims to ensure that goods flow seamlessly across borders.
Enhancing Supply Chain Solutions
DHL Supply Chain is also set to expand its services in South Africa, concentrating on the transport sector and life sciences. The company plans to enhance its temperature-sensitive logistics capabilities aimed at supporting critical healthcare supply chains, reflecting the increasing sophistication of local supply chains.
Orkun Saruhanoglu, CEO of DHL Supply Chain Middle East & Africa, noted that rising demand for specialized logistics services in the healthcare and transporter sectors necessitates a robust expansion of capacity and expertise. This focus on logistics will help clients manage risks and improve overall service quality.
Empowering Small Businesses and Sustainability Initiatives
Beyond infrastructure and service enhancements, DHL is committed to fostering inclusive growth through its GoTrade initiative, which equips SMEs with the necessary training and customs expertise to gain access to international markets. The company is also experimenting with renewable energy projects across its Sub-Saharan facilities, emphasizing its dedication to sustainable growth.
DHL’s digital transformation efforts include leveraging AI for route optimization and digital customs tools, aimed at reducing barriers in cross-border trade, ultimately making it easier for businesses to thrive in the growing African market.
Connecting the Continent to the World
With an unmatched reach across all African markets, DHL Group is uniquely positioned to facilitate trade connections between Africa and the rest of the globe. This strategic investment will not only enhance DHL’s operational capabilities but also lay the foundation for the next phase of growth for the continent, ensuring that African businesses are well-equipped to capitalize on emerging global trade opportunities.