Africa’s trade landscape is undergoing a transformation. The African Continental Free Trade Area is unlocking cross-border opportunity, while investors are expanding infrastructure to meet rising demand. DHL’s recent €300 million investment across Sub-Saharan Africa underlines the confidence driving Africa’s trade growth, setting the stage for a new era of connected logistics.
“Africa is at a pivotal moment in its trade journey,” said John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express. “Despite global volatility, the continent continues to show resilience and momentum.”
For manufacturers, distributors, and logistics operators, that momentum depends on how efficiently goods move from the warehouse to the endpoint. As trade accelerates, reliable supply chains, not just new buildings or roads, will define who grows fastest.
Key context
| Indicator | 2025 Data | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Trade growth | +10% year on year (SSA) | Fastest globally in early 2025 |
| Forecast 2025–2029 | +4.3% annual trade volume | Second fastest region worldwide |
| Core sectors | E-commerce, life sciences, and agriculture | Require time-sensitive, compliant delivery |
Why infrastructure alone will not guarantee growth
DHL’s investment is an important milestone, but physical infrastructure is only part of the solution. Roads, gateways, and new distribution hubs can improve access, yet supply chain reliability still hinges on digital visibility and data-driven coordination.
“Our focus is to be closer to customers and make cross-border shipping simpler and more reliable,” said Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa.
African operators face persistent challenges that limit performance:
- Limited visibility once goods leave the warehouse
- Manual customs processes that cause unpredictable delays
- Missed delivery windows that increase costs and damage trust
- Communication gaps between depots, couriers, and customers
Without connected systems, even the best infrastructure cannot deliver consistent results. The missing link is technology that unifies every courier, warehouse, and carrier in one workflow.
How we help
Our courier software bridges this gap by automating and connecting every stage of delivery:
- Tracks each order from booking to arrival
- Automates carrier bookings and label creation
- Captures electronic proof of delivery (ePOD)
- Sends proactive customer notifications
- Provides unified control for both its own fleets and external carriers
We help businesses ensure that every kilometre of new infrastructure translates into measurable performance improvements.
What digital visibility really means for Africa’s trade future
Digital visibility is no longer optional; it is the foundation of Africa’s logistics evolution. DHL’s decision to strengthen its Express, Global Forwarding, and Supply Chain divisions across the region highlights the shift towards technology-led control.
“Customers are navigating shifting trade patterns and tighter regulatory requirements, so reliability and visibility matter more than ever,” said Amadou Diallo, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding Middle East & Africa.
Visibility connects people, partners, and processes in real time. It allows warehouses to see what is in transit, couriers to follow optimised routes, and customers to receive accurate delivery information – all within one connected ecosystem.
What visibility enables
| Capability | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Multi-carrier management | Consistent delivery across partners |
| Temperature monitoring | Protects pharmaceuticals and perishables |
| Route optimisation | Cuts delays and fuel costs |
| Automated notifications | Reduces “Where’s my parcel?” calls |
| Unified dashboards | Creates a single version of the truth for teams |
Our supply chain management software gives African manufacturers and distributors the control they need to compete globally. It connects the dots between people, systems, and carriers – ensuring every shipment is visible, compliant, and on time.
Why efficient supply chains are Africa’s real growth engine
Africa’s trade potential will only be realised if supply chains keep pace with demand. DHL’s expansion confirms that investment in physical capacity must be matched by smarter operational systems. Efficiency, reliability, and transparency are now as important as infrastructure.
“We will help more African companies trade efficiently and compete on a bigger stage,” added Heymans.
To remain competitive, logistics operators and manufacturers need platforms that unify their operations, enable data-driven decision-making, and deliver customer confidence at scale.
Why digital adoption matters now
- Hybrid logistics models are becoming standard
- Customers expect accurate, real-time updates
- Global partners demand transparent, auditable records
- Manual processes reduce scalability and increase cost per shipment
How we support African operators
- One integrated platform for courier and delivery teams
- Seamless ERP and WMS integrations
- Performance analytics for cost and SLA tracking
- Reverse logistics workflows for returns and recalls
- Cloud-based infrastructure built for regional expansion
By connecting every process from warehouse to endpoint, we turn infrastructure investment into an ecosystem of dependable, efficient supply chains – the backbone of sustainable Africa trade growth.
The takeaway
DHL’s €300 million investment underscores Africa’s potential, but the future of trade belongs to businesses that combine infrastructure with intelligence. Growth will not come from scale alone; it will come from visibility, precision, and control.
We deliver the courier and supply chain management software that enables this transformation, empowering manufacturers, distributors, and logistics providers to manage every shipment with confidence and accuracy. Request a demo today and be part of the next chapter in Africa’s trade growth, where smarter supply chains keep every delivery on track.
