Multiyear investment programme targets infrastructure expansion and enhanced service capabilities across e-commerce, perishables, energy and life sciences sectors
DHL will invest €300m in the Sub-Saharan Africa region across its various divisions as the company targets the region for its ”growing strategic importance in global trade”.
The company said the multi-year investments would cover its express, forwarding and supply chain division to expand infrastructure, enhance service capabilities and “unlock opportunities” in e-commerce, perishables, energy, and life sciences and healthcare.
The investments in forwarding will cover the expansion of its capabilities in energy and industrial projects, enhancing cold-chain and perishables logistics for agriculture and horticulture exporters and the build-up of temperature-controlled transport for life sciences and healthcare.
“These enhancements build on DHL’s established freight forwarding network and customs expertise across major African trade lanes connecting the continent with Europe, Asia and the Middle East,” the company said in a release.
Amadou Diallo, chief executive of DHL Global Forwarding Middle East & Africa, added: “Customers are navigating shifting trade patterns and tighter regulatory requirements, so reliability and visibility matter more than ever.
”We are strengthening forwarding solutions with deeper local expertise and enhanced digital tools, giving clients clearer control of their shipments from origin to destination. The goal is straightforward: keep goods moving predictably and help customers capture growth where demand is emerging.”
Meanwhile, the investment in express will include upgrading gateways, adding aviation uplift and extending time-definite coverage into second cities.
DHL Supply Chain will add capacity and transport-led solutions with a focus on the transporter sector and life sciences & healthcare, including additional temperature-sensitive capability.
“Africa is at a pivotal moment in its trade journey,” said John Pearson, chief executive of DHL Express. “Despite global volatility, the continent continues to show resilience and momentum.
”Our investment reflects confidence in Africa’s trajectory and DHL’s commitment to enabling the trade flows that drive inclusive growth.”
The postal and logistics giant pointed out that the recently published DHL Global Connectedness Tracker showed Sub-Saharan Africa leading all world regions in the first half of 2025 with a 10% year-on-year increase in trade value (in current US dollars), ahead of North America at 7% and South & Central America, Caribbean at 5%.
“Current forecasts as of September 2025 indicate the region’s trade volume will grow by an average of 4.3% per year over 2025 to 2029, the second-fastest globally behind South & Central Asia,” DHL said.
