Import and export trade volumes for DHL Express Sub Saharan Africa remain strong and are forecast to grow.
“The first half of 2014, revealed strong continuing growth for DHL Express Sub Saharan Africa’s top three import trade lanes: the United States, France and China while the top three Sub Saharan Africa’s export trade lanes were to Great Britain, the United States and France,” Charles Brewer, managing director for DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, said. “Trade in Africa continues to present huge opportunities for both established and emerging markets and as stronger connections and trade relations are forged between SSA and the rest of the world, supported by innovative logistics supply chains, the faster Africa’s economic development will accelerate.”
Even with the growth that the continent has experienced, Africa is the world’s least connected continent, when considering the ease of moving people, trade, information and finance, according DHL’s Global Connectedness Index.
“Going forward, regional integration will continue to play a key role in unleashing the continent’s growth potential. Some of the areas being talked about and focused on include a continental free trade zone, single customs union, a common currency, etc., all of which should significantly improve intra-regional trade, which presently is less than 20 percent,” Brewer said.
DHL Express plans to further expand in Africa.
“For DHL Express Sub Saharan Africa, the first half of 2014 was characterized by robust growth in the energy sector – particularly due to exploration companies mobilizing new campaigns in countries such as Cameroon, Congo and Gabon,” Brewer said. “The technology sector continues to provide ongoing opportunities for DHL to provide innovative solutions, particularly through cross-business unit collaboration as customers look to align their internal requirements to achieve efficiencies and cost containment. Financial services, although under competitive and regulatory pressure, has continued to grow – mainly driven by the need to provide customers with financial instruments quickly and effectively.”