Logistics group DHL opened an operation in Africa’s newest republic, South Sudan, in July, and is providing express delivery and freight services in the country.

The global company says it is providing its full range of services to boost the country’s economy and aid vital infrastructure development in the new republic.

Its DHL Express and DHL Global Forwarding divisions offer road, air and sea logistics services to businesses in the North African country.

“South Sudan has potentially rich natural resources, predominantly agriculture and oil, but also other minerals.

“The road ahead is challenging for the South Sudanese people. DHL’s role is to support the development of local infrastructure, logistics and transport developments so that the country can rebuild its economy and finally participate in the African renaissance happening around it,” says DHL Global Forwarding Africa and South Asia Pacific CEO Amadou Diallo.

DHL sub-Saharan Africa Express MD Charles Brewer adds that the mobilisation of infrastructure investment in the country is a priority.

“The South Sudanese government has declared that it is looking at over $500-billion worth of investment over the next five years, primarily in the form of roads and bridges to transport its crude oil to the international market.

“As the first multinational that specifically went into the African continent with the sole purpose of setting up DHL-owned and operated offices in every single country to support and facilitate trade, the start of our operations in South Sudan is not only market driven, but symbolic of our commitment and the breadth of our Africa network that will go a long way towards supporting the growth and development of the new republic,” he says.

Further, DHL is a long-term investor in African infrastructure and operational equipment, as well as local staff training and development. Further investment to come this year includes facilities to support logistics activities, such as a new warehouse in Juba, as well as the employment of local logistics experts to run its operations in what remains a volatile, but improving operating environment.

Local, regional and multinational companies will also have access to the expertise of DHL Supply Chain, which will share resources and infrastructure with DHL Global Forwarding.

Operating in all 54 African countries, DHL offers end-to-end supply chain solutions, with over 300 000 m2 of warehouse space in sub-Saharan Africa, a fleet of more than 2 000 owned and subcontracted vehicles and 17 aircraft.