Transport & Logistics | CEO Business Africa

Investment firm Sakhumnotho buys stake in EV firm Everlectric

September 28, 2021September 28, 2021 Editor

SOUTH AFRICA – Investment firm Sakhumnotho Group has invested in Everlectric, a start-up that deploys globally imported electric vehicle (EV) technology in the logistics value chain in South Africa. South African-based Everlectric offers commercial electric vehicles and EV components to organizations in the transport industry, as well as EV financing solutions to reduce the barrier to EV adoption for clients. Black-controlled Sakhumnotho has a diversified portfolio, including interests in mining and resources, oil and gas, property, green energy, manufacturing and various other sectors. The investment firm says it has entered…

Eric Nsantu takes charge as CEO of Bollore Transport and Logistics in DRC

August 16, 2021August 16, 2021 Editor

DRC – Eric Kalala Nsantu has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Bolloré Transport and Logistics in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Prior to his appointment, he was the managing director of the Congolese subsidiary since 2019 and now succeeds François Kaniki, who was chair of the board of directors at Bolloré Transport and Logistics for more than ten years. Nsantu has strong experience in financial management and mining logistics. He is a graduate in Business Engineering of the Administration and Management Institute at Université Catholique de Louvain…

Bolloré Transport & Logistics appoints Ahmat Abdelkerim as managing director for Horn of Africa cluster

August 5, 2021August 17, 2021 Editor

EAST AFRICA – Ahmat Abdelkerim has been appointed as the Managing Director of the Bolloré Transport & Logistics Horn of Africa cluster and will be responsible for managing the business activities in three countries: Djibouti, Ethiopia and Eritrea. His appointment took effect from July 1, 2021. Ahmat has taken over from Patrick Gerenthon, who has moved on to perform other duties within Bolloré Transport & Logistics. Ahmat Abdelkerim, originally from Chad, graduated from Sup’Management Graduate School in Morocco and has a Master’s degree in Development Management and Politics from Sciences…

Bolt raises US$712.6m to help accelerate growth across Africa and Europe

August 4, 2021August 4, 2021 Editor

AFRICA – Ride-hailing company Bolt, has raised US$712.6 million in its latest round increasing the company’s valuation to more than US$4.75 billion. The company says it will use the funds to accelerate the expansion of its existing mobility and delivery products across its African and European markets. The funds were raised from new investors including Sequoia, Tekne and Ghisallo, as well as Bolt’s existing investors G Squared, D1 Capital and Naya. The funds will go into expanding the company’s network of ride-hailing services, food delivery and micro-mobility in Africa and Europe and…

Ride-hailing firm Little sets eyes on the Ethiopian market

July 22, 2021July 22, 2021 Editor

ETHIOPIA – Kenyan ride-hailing firm Little is expanding to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia joining Safaricom and several other Kenyan firms in the race to crack the Ethiopian market that has so far remained closed to foreign companies. The firm’s Chief Executive Officer Kamal Budhabhatti told Business Daily that the company will invest US$5 million in the next five years, with plans to inject an additional US$5 million based on its growth projections. The company, which competes with global players Uber and Taxify in Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, and Tanzania, will start Ethiopia…

Amitruck: Connecting Cargo Owners Directly With Truckers To Facilitate Trade

June 10, 2021June 10, 2021 Editor

Amitruck, a Kenyan based start-up is betting on transparency and trust to build the next big logistics solutions provider in a market that is projected to grow exponentially in the next decade. We had a discussion with the company’s CEO and Founder Mark Mwangi on the company’s journey and future prospects.

Ride-hailing platform Bolt introduces electric tuk-tuks, bikes and bicycles in Kenya

June 8, 2021June 10, 2021 Editor

KENYA – On-demand ride hailing platform Bolt has introduced electric tuk tuks, and e-bicycles on its platform as the company expands its greener transport options in Kenya in the food category. The initiative is geared towards reducing Bolt’s environmental footprints, at the same time fulfilling the demand for light, smart and green modes of transport and also serves to eliminate the challenges associated with constant fluctuating fuel prices which currently form the most significant operating cost for drivers and couriers. “This is a great step towards realizing environmentally conscious ways…

Kuehne+Nagel completes acquisition of Apex Logistics

May 12, 2021May 13, 2021 Editor

WORLD – Global transport and logistics company Kuehne Nagel, has completed the acquisition of Apex International Corporation, following the satisfaction of all closing conditions. Apex is an Asian freight forwarder, especially on the transpacific and intra-Asia trade routes. In 2020, the company generated turnover of CHF 2.2 billion (US$2.4 billion), gross profit of CHF 296 million (US$327 million) and earnings before taxes of CHF 126 million (US$139 million) and ranked seventh in terms of global air freight forwarding volume. In the first quarter of 2021, Apex has continued to perform…

Logistics company DSV Panalpina completes the acquisition of Globeflight

May 8, 2021May 8, 2021 Editor

SOUTH AFRICA – DSV Panalpina, a Danish transport and logistics company, has completed the acquisition of South African-based Globeflight Worldwide Express after the relevant competition authorities have approved the details in the agreement. The deal was initially announced in December 2020. The acquisition includes all Globeflight’s operations in South Africa and Swaziland and will immediately be able to fortify DSV Panalpina’s presence in the small express parcel courier sector. The acquisition is consistent with DSV Panalpina’s global strategy of growth through acquisitions while at the same time being a strategically…

Uber launches electric boda bodas & bicycles in Kenya

May 3, 2021May 3, 2021 Editor

KENYA – Tech company Uber, has launched electric boda bodas and bicycles for drivers on UberBoda, Uber Connect and Uber Eats in Kenya, a first for Uber in Sub-Saharan Africa. The launch of electric Boda Bodas will offer an affordable and reliable manner of transportation within the city and will enable customers to select a zero-emissions ride to help drive a green recovery. Using electric UberBoda will cost the same as a regular journey. The launch of electric boda presents a 45% reduction in overall costs for UberBoda and Uber…