• South Africa approves DHL acquisition of three logistics firms

• Deal supports DHL’s €300 million Africa expansion strategy

• Strong regional trade growth drives demand for improved logistics

South Africa's Competition Tribunal last week approved DHL's acquisition of Vital Distribution Solutions, Staffing Logistics and Vital Fleet, clearing the way for a merger that will give DHL Supply Chain South Africa full ownership of the three transport and logistics firms.

The move is part of the multinational’s expansion strategy. In October 2025, the company announced a €300 million investment (about $353.6 million) to expand its operations in Africa.

“As trade expands, businesses are asking for predictable transit times, consistent delivery performance and support that understands local conditions,” said Hennie Heymans, the group’s CEO for Sub-Saharan Africa.

“By raising the bar on service and proximity, we will help more African companies trade efficiently and compete on a bigger stage,” he added.

To support this strategy, the group also announced in January the integration of two Boeing 737-400 freighters into its Sub-Saharan Africa network.

According to data from the DHL Global Connectedness Tracker, Sub-Saharan Africa recorded the fastest growth in trade value globally in the first half of 2025. The region posted a 10% increase in USD terms, ahead of North America (+7%) and Latin America and the Caribbean (+5%).

Projections published in September 2025 forecast average annual trade growth of 4.3% between 2025 and 2029, the second-highest rate globally after South Asia and Central Asia.

The companies involved operate across key segments of the supply chain. Vital Distribution Solutions is active in road transport, distribution and warehousing. Staffing Logistics provides temporary labour services across transport, retail, hospitality and cleaning. Vital Fleet specialises in vehicle fleet rental and management.

Henoc Dossa