DHL wants to become Africa’s leading logistics provider

Author: Dimitri Lagun
Date: 02.08.2018

DHL starts partnership with Ethiopian Airlines

DHL Global Forwarding has established a joint venture with Ethiopian Airlines. DHL wants to expand Ethiopia’s logistics infrastructure while strengthening its market position in Africa. In the long term, the company wants to become the leading logistics provider in Africa.

As part of the joint venture, DHL will be responsible for expanding the logistics infrastructure and managing air, sea and road freight. In this way, the country should be better networked with the economic regions and world markets. DHL Global Forwarding is the world’s first transport company to be represented in Ethiopia. The contract for the joint venture was signed by the two partners on 26 July in the capital of Ethiopia Addis Ababa.

“By combining our cargo expertise with the well-founded knowledge of the Ethiopian Airlines about regulatory and operational environment, we create an important gateway to international trade for one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies. At the same time, we are strengthening our position on the African continent” said Tim Scharwath, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding, about the partnership.

The majority stake in the joint venture is owned by Ethiopian Airlines. The airline wants to support DHL with regulatory and operational know-how. In return, DHL links the relevant economic regions of the country with the world markets for air, sea and road freight.

Pramod Bagalwadi has worked in the logistics industry for 20 years and has been appointed CEO of the joint venture. He will take over the management of the organization. He has also gained experience in Africa as head of DHL’s Industrial Projects Team in South Africa.

The partnership between DHL Global Forwarding and Ethiopian Airlines has been in place since 2010. Since then, DHL Global Forwarding has been responsible for the repair and maintenance services of the airline’s commercial division. The logistics provider works with logistics solutions for aircraft parts, aircraft engines and mechanical modules.