Deutsche Post DHL attributes its financial results for 2013 partly to emerging markets such as Africa.
“DHL Express is the market leader across Africa, and our unparalleled footprint and continued investment in the continent is testament to that,” Charles Brewer, managing director for DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, said. “During 2013, we continued with our expansion plans throughout sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), investing heavily in facilities and increasing our vehicle and aviation fleet.”
Brewer points to the International Air Transport Association’s Airline recent Industry Forecast 2013-2017 report, which named Africa as the fastest growing region globally over the forecast period, with a growth rate of 3.2 percent expected for international freight volumes.
“The International Monetary Fund has forecasted economic growth of 2.8 percent in 2014 for South Africa, and 6.1 percent for the sub-Saharan African region, and with the continued growth from intra-Africa and international trade, the outlook for the SSA logistics industry is extremely positive,” Brewer said.
He said the routes expected to experience the most significant growth in Africa in 2014 are linked to the fastest growing markets, which include Ethiopia, Ghana and Nigeria.
Brewer said small and medium enterprises are the catalyst for some of this growth. E-commerce is also having an effect.
“Buying and selling online is growing year on year in Africa, which includes a big shift towards e-commerce in South Africa,” he said. “Other factors that will likely influence trade are developments in technology, health care, construction and services, as well as the increase in manufacturing in Africa.”
Brewer said this year, DHL has various investments in SSA, including the opening of a number of new facilitates, and planned expansion in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana and Angola. DHL Express SSA will also be expanding its dedicated air fleet, adding new planes to the West Africa region, including a Boeing 737.
“The introduction of these new facilities and planes reflect the continuation of our expansion strategy for 2014,” he said. “This allows us to serve our customers better, who in turn, can process, sell or assemble their products faster and more securely.”