• DHL adds two Boeing 737-400 freighters to sub-Saharan Africa network
• Aircraft based in Lagos to cut transit times, boost trade reliability
• Expansion supports e-commerce growth and AfCFTA-driven trade

DHL Aviation announced on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, that it is adding two Boeing 737-400 freighters to its sub-Saharan African network to strengthen its logistics capabilities on the continent.

The aircraft were unveiled on the tarmac at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria, a strategic hub for regional and intercontinental cargo traffic. The company said the planes will shorten transit times and improve delivery reliability, factors that have become increasingly critical for African companies engaged in international trade.

“As trade expands across Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area, businesses are demanding predictable transit times and consistent delivery performance. The two dedicated aircraft will be integrated into DHL Aviation’s African air network, strengthening connections on critical Africa-Europe and Africa-Asia trade lanes,” said Anthony Beckley, Vice President of Operations and Aviation for DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa.

The expansion comes as demand for logistics services grows among West African companies, particularly in sectors such as e-commerce, perishable goods, energy, and life sciences and healthcare. E-commerce in particular has recorded sustained growth since the Covid-19 pandemic, driven by consumers increasingly shifting online.

The Africa Industrial Market Dashboard – H1 2025 report, published in early September 2025 by Knight Frank, forecast that the African e-commerce market would exceed $75 billion in 2025. This growth momentum was one of the factors behind the 300 million euro (approximately $357 million) investment plan announced in October by DHL. The plan is intended to support the development of warehouses and logistics infrastructure in Africa as trade flows increase.

According to the latest updates from the DHL Global Connectedness Tracker, sub-Saharan Africa recorded the highest global growth in trade value in the first half of 2025, with an increase of 10% in U.S. dollars. This placed the region ahead of North America at 7% and the combined South America, Central America, and Caribbean region at 5%.

Forecasts published in September 2025 expect average annual trade growth of 4.3% for the region between 2025 and 2029, the second fastest pace in the world behind South and Central Asia.

Henoc Dossa