Business, Featured

Ken Allen, chief executive officer, DHL Global Express and Logistics provider, forecasts that in the next few years, Africa will be the centre of global business

|  By Maureen Chigbo  |  Apr. 1, 2013 @ 01:00 GMT

“AFRICA is the last bastion for business globally and, in the next few years, will prove its potential as a stable and lucrative continent for international commerce, according to Ken Allen, chief executive officer of DHL Express, a global express and logistics provider. Allen is in Sub-Saharan Africa to visit countries including Zambia, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa, as the company continues to expand into the continent and increase its already vast footprint into the far-flung, rural areas.

He will also attend DHL’s internal employee celebration in Livingstone, Zambia, which acknowledges the company’s ‘superstars’ from over 60 countries. Allen’s visit follows the March 5 announcement by Deutsche Post DHL that DHL Express division contributed EUR 1.11 billion in 2012, a 21 percent improvement over 2011.

He is also upbeat about commerce in Africa and eager to use this proven global business approach to further entrench DHL in the continent, spurring on trade and connecting the markets to increase the continent’s global competitiveness.   “Much has been said around Africa’s potential and, while it currently only contributes three percent of the global GDP, it is still the fastest growing continent. We have seen positive economic indicators from countries across Sub-Saharan Africa – Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique and Uganda to name a few – and I believe we will continue to see Africa improve its standing on the international business stage.”

He continues, “The major challenge for Africa and, primarily for us as logistics operators, is to improve infrastructure – whether this is road infrastructure or air capacity. Current road conditions are responsible for approximately 40 percent of transport costs in coastal countries and 60 percent in landlocked countries, and we know that transport costs can make up 50 to 75 percent of the actual retail price of goods in countries such as Malawi, Rwanda and Uganda.

We are currently transporting over 80 percent of our cargo by air, which can be between three and nine times more expensive than road or rail. For Africa to become competitive, this situation needs urgent review, with a strong focus on the developments of the transport infrastructure.” What is Allen’s major focus for the next few years? “Continuing to motivate and engage our employees, in both Africa and abroad. We have seen the culture of DHL Express reformed and reshaped through employee engagement and training, and the financial turnaround of the business is testament to this. Putting your human capital at the centre of your company leads not only to great service, but loyal customers and unparalleled business returns.”

DHL is the global market leader in the logistics industry and “The Logistics company for the world”. DHL commits its expertise in international express, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation, contract logistics and international mail services to its customers. A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories and about 285,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their supply chain requirements.

DHL accepts its social responsibility by supporting environmental protection, disaster management and education. DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL. The group generated revenue of more than 55 billion euros in 2012.

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