Tag: Transport & Logistics

Ride-hailing firm Little sets eyes on the Ethiopian market

Frank

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…

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Amitruck: Connecting Cargo Owners Directly With Truckers To Facilitate Trade

Frank

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.

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

Frank

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…

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Kuehne+Nagel completes acquisition of Apex Logistics

Frank

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…

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Logistics company DSV Panalpina completes the acquisition of Globeflight

Frank

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…

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Uber launches electric boda bodas & bicycles in Kenya

Frank

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…

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E-hailing firm Swvl resumes operations in Nairobi after Covid-19 disruptions

Frank

KENYA – Swvl, Egyptian ride-hailing firm, has resumed commuter services in Nairobi which had been disrupted by stay-at-home measures taken to contain the spread of Covid-19 last year. The tech firm scaled down operations at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in Kenya in March last year following a decrease in commuter numbers. The firm’s popular city routes included Ruiru to the CBD/Upper Hill, Karen to CBD/Westlands via Upper Hill, Ongata Rongai to Westlands/CBD via Upper Hill, Ruiru to Westlands, Ndenderu to CBD/ Upper Hill, and Kikuyu to CBD/ Upper…

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E-hailing firm Bolt gets US$23.8m capital injection from IFC for Africa, Eastern Europe expansion

Frank

SOUTH AFRICA – E- hailing service provider Bolt has received a US$23.8 million capital injection from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), to expand mobility solutions that create earning opportunities, improve access to transportation, and stimulate entrepreneurship in African and Eastern European markets. The IFC investment will be directed towards Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, and African markets, such as Nigeria and South Africa, and support Bolt’s ongoing work to empower drivers while creating new economic opportunities. The investment from IFC comes as Bolt is growing in South Africa  and the rest of the Africa and…

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Kenya Railways to take over SGR operations from Chinese firm AfriStar

Frank

KENYA – The Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) has begun a gradual takeover of operations on the standard gauge railway (SGR) from Chinese firm Africa Star Railway Operation Company (AfriStar) amid concerns of high costs of keeping trains moving. KRC board chairman Omudho Awitta said the corporation has already assumed ticketing, security and fuelling functions on the SGR passenger and cargo trains as part of a deal to fully run operations on the Chinese funded and built track by May next year. “KRC has not terminated its contract with Africa Star…

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Brick maker Brikor acquires 40% stake in transportation services provider Zingaro Holdings

Frank

SOUTH AFRICA – Brick manufacturer and supplier Brikor has acquired a 40% shareholding in multi-product road transportation services provider Zingaro Holdings for US$3.4 million. Zingaro primarily operates in South Africa and mostly services short to medium distance routes in Gauteng, North West, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo, with a fleet of more than 100 specialised transportation vehicles and trucks. Zingaro also specialises in providing turnkey services for mine activities, such as loading, hauling, stockpile management and haul road maintenance by using a range of specialised trucks and earthmoving equipment. The company’s specialised…

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