Freight forwarding giant Kuehne+Nagel (K+N) has expanded its presence in Africa through the addition of several new offices across the continent.
The Switzerland-headquartered company told Air Cargo News that it began the expansion project in 2021 with the second phase being completed this year.
In total, K+N has added 10 countries to its network as part of the expansion. The forwarder is now present in 18 African countries: South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Egypt, Angola, Namibia, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Mozambique, Mauritius, Botswana, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Rwanda.
The offices are managed and supported by a control tower in Durban, South Africa, which acts as a single point of customer contact.
K+N said that sub-Saharan Africa is playing an increasingly significant role in worldwide trade as it is home to more than 1bn people, half of whom will be under the age of 25 by 2050.
“The expanded Africa network is fully vetted and audited by an external global auditing company to ensure ongoing adherence to the highest level of compliance and ethical standards,” the forwarder said. “It provides the full range of international services including Air, Sea, Road and Contract logistics to address the demands of the African continent.”
Lee I’Ons, president of K+N Middle East and Africa, added: “Africa is blessed with natural resources and a young entrepreneurial population.
“Now is the time to unlock this potential and create growing, thriving economies. There are many elements to this, one being the logistical ability to connect global markets for end consumers and suppliers.
“With the new control tower in Durban, we are ready to address this great African opportunity.”
The company, which recently announced a new CEO, said it has plans to expand further on the continent and is in the process of finalising “several” partnership agreements.
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