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Kuehne+Nagel said it is "significantly expanding" its network of offices in Africa as it eyes continued growth in its operations in the region.
In a statement, the logistics provider said these offices are managed and supported by a control tower in Durban, South Africa — a single point of customer contact managing its network across Africa.
"With this expansion, Kuehne+Nagel provides its customers better access to African markets and while offering African manufacturers specialized and industry-specific solutions to meet soaring demand in markets such as pharma & healthcare, perishables, emergency & relief and project logistics," K+N said.
It also noted the importance of Africa in global trade.
"Sub-Saharan Africa plays an increasingly significant role in worldwide trade as it is home to more than one billion people, half of whom will be under the age of 25 by 2050," Kuehne+Nagel said, adding that it has been actively present in Africa for almost seven decades after opening its first office in Johannesburg in 1954.
Kuehne+Nagel added that its expanded Africa network provides a full range of international services including Air, Sea, Road and Contract logistics to address the demands of the African continent.
"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," said Lee I’Ons, President of Kuehne+Nagel Middle East and Africa.
With this expansion, Kuehne+Nagel said it will be represented 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.
Until the end of the first quarter 2022, Kuehne+Nagel plans to increase its footprint with a second expansion on the continent.
