DHL Group Invests Over EUR 300 Million to Strengthen Trade and Connectivity Across Sub-Saharan Africa
DHL Group has unveiled plans to invest over EUR 300 million across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), reinforcing its enduring dedication to one of the world’s most rapidly expanding trade regions.
The multi-year investment will cover DHL Express, DHL Global Forwarding, and DHL Supply Chain, focusing on expanding infrastructure, improving service efficiency, and enabling businesses in e-commerce, perishables, energy, and life sciences & healthcare to access new markets with greater speed and reliability.
The initiative underscores DHL’s confidence in Africa’s growth prospects and its commitment to fostering the trade flows that promote inclusive development.
With Africa’s regional integration gaining momentum, trade opportunities are expanding. The DHL Global Connectedness Tracker reports that Sub-Saharan Africa recorded the highest global trade growth in the first half of 2025, with a 10% year-on-year increase in trade value (in current US dollars). Trade volumes are also projected to rise by an average of 4.3% annually between 2025 and 2029.
“Africa stands at a critical point in its trade evolution,” said John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express. “Even amid global uncertainty, the continent continues to demonstrate strength and progress. Our investment represents our confidence in Africa’s direction and DHL’s dedication to supporting the trade flows that fuel inclusive growth.”
As part of this commitment, DHL Express will enhance its gateways, increase aviation capacity, and extend time-definite delivery services to rapidly developing secondary cities. Being the only integrator with a dedicated air network in Sub-Saharan Africa, DHL plans to bolster connectivity across Africa–Europe and Africa–Asia routes, building on its recent expansions in Ethiopia and Nigeria.
“Our priority is to stay closer to our customers and make cross-border shipping easier and more dependable,” said Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa. “By elevating service standards and strengthening accessibility, we aim to empower more African businesses to compete on a global scale.”
Meanwhile, DHL Global Forwarding will focus on driving growth in the sectors fueling Africa’s export momentum. The investments will strengthen energy and industrial project logistics, improve cold-chain and perishables operations for agricultural and horticultural exporters, and expand specialized temperature-controlled transport for the life sciences and healthcare industries.
DHL Supply Chain will increase its capacity in South Africa and broaden its transport-focused solutions, with a particular emphasis on the life sciences & healthcare and transportation industries.
“We’re witnessing rising demand for specialized, outsourced logistics as supply chains grow increasingly complex,” said Orkun Saruhanoglu, CEO of DHL Supply Chain Middle East & Africa. “Through expanded capacity and our contract logistics expertise, we aim to help customers enhance quality, mitigate risk, and scale with confidence.”
DHL is also channeling investments into initiatives that broaden trade participation and advance sustainability. Through its GoTrade program, the company equips SMEs with training and customs expertise to help them access global markets. Across Sub-Saharan Africa, DHL is testing renewable energy and alternative fuel projects while deploying AI-powered tools for monitoring, route optimization, and digital customs clearance to minimize cross-border barriers.
With operations across every African market, DHL Group is uniquely positioned to link the continent’s businesses to global trade networks and drive the next phase of Africa’s growth.
