DHL Express has launched a new mobile and desktop app aimed at improving the online shopping experience for Africa-based consumers.
Dubbed DHL Africa eShop, the platform aims to meet the growing demand for world-class items sold on international online shopping stores not accessible to Africans.New platform addresses key challenges to accelerate e-commerce growth in sub-Saharan Africa.
The DHL Africa eShop enables customers to shop directly from more than 200 US- and UK-based online retailers, with all shipments delivered by DHL Express, to the shopper’s door. DHL Africa eShop will be available in 11 African markets to start – South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Mauritius, Ghana, Senegal, Rwanda, Malawi, Botswana, Sierra Leone and Uganda.
This solution was developed in partnership with Link Commerce – a division of Mall for Africa.
According to Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub Saharan Africa, “DHL Africa eShop provides convenience, speed and access for online customers in Africa. As the global leader in express logistics, DHL is well positioned to connect African consumers with exciting global brands. This is yet another opportunity for DHL to reaffirm its commitment to supporting the growth of e-commerce in the region.”
According to a report by McKinsey Global Institute, the demand for world-class online shopping opportunities is growing exponentially in Africa’s leading economies, as urbanisation and incomes continue to rise.
Despite the growing demand, many US and UK-based retailers do not offer shipping to African countries, owing to the perceived logistical challenges involved such as high last-mile delivery costs and fraud concerns. However, DHL Express was the first express operator to set up in Africa over 40 years ago, so we are well positioned to offer innovative and reliable solutions for on the continent.”
“E-commerce offers enormous potential for the region, and we are proud to provide this platform to further connect African consumers with global opportunities,” concluded Heymans.
To make things easier, DHL Global Forwarding, an international provider of air, sea and road freight services, has signed a deal with Tanger Med to set up its new Africa-Europe Logistics Hub in the Tanger Med Logistical Zone. DHL Global Forwarding will be one of the largest freight forwarders to establish operations in Tanger Med dedicated logistical zone.
The hub, at 6,000 m² will be the largest facility for DHL in the country, and serves as a gateway to the international markets for DHL’s customers, especially for imports and exports to and from Europe, North and West Africa.
This new Logistics Hub at Tanger Med will enable DHL Global Forwarding to provide its customers with end-to-end solutions such as customs clearance facilitation and supply chain management, in addition to air, sea and road freight services.
