Africa is the continent that not only offers vast opportunities but also one that’s on the last frontiers for economic growth and development according to Charles Brewer, Managing Director of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
“Despite the recent prediction by the World Bank that economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa will slow in 2015, the continent still remains relatively unexplored which indicates untapped opportunities in the region. We remain positive about Africa’s potential and believe that it’s time for the continent to focus on the opportunities, connect across the continent to leverage cross-border and global opportunities and grow as one.”
Brewer said this during the celebrations of Africa Day 2015, an opportunity to celebrate Africa’s rich culture, diversity as well as its resilience and as well as consider the various opportunities that it offers. The day is an annual commemoration of the founding of the Africa Union (AU).
In the 37 years DHL has been in Africa, Brewer says Africa has witnessed the turnaround from the ‘forgotten continent’ to ‘Africa Rising’, which has been an amazing and insightful experience.
To meet the increased needs of the burgeoning middle class in the region, DHL Express has continued their aggressive expansion strategy in their efforts to make logistics more accessible. “With the rise of e-commerce, global markets are more attractive and accessible to individuals and local businesses; therefore we need to make sure that we are well positioned to cater to their needs. We currently have 3800 retail outlets across Sub Saharan Africa,” adds Brewer.
In the spirit of Africa Day, DHL Express implimented DHL Africa as One – to highlight its commitment to investing in Africa. DHL, the official logistics partner of Rugby World Cup 2015, is driving across Africa in three Land Rover Discoveries, while capturing every step of the journey, every person, every place and every pass on film, in photographs and words, and then sharing this content with Africa and the world. The journey will see the team pass a single rugby ball from hand to hand through 45 African countries, over 11 months, from Cape Town and ending in London in September 2015.
The team is currently in Niger, en route to Chad and in addition to the rugby clinics through the stopovers, DHL is distributing over 500 000 units of stationery to young children and providing free eye tests for thousands of people in partnership with Mercy Ships.
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More than ever, global companies are now looking to expand into Africa and invest in its diverse markets and people. “DHL is committed to play a continued role in developing the continent through its investments and initiatives aimed at connecting Africa to the world,” concludes Brewer.
