CEVA Logistics is launching a three-part expansion plan for the African market as it aims to become a leading, continent-wide market player there.

Recently, it closed a deal to acquire a controlling stake in African 3PL, AMI Worldwide, which has a presence in East and Southern Africa — all employees of AMI offices in 12 countries joining the CEVA global network — starting July 1. 

AMI Worldwide has almost 1,000 employees.

"With the acquisition of AMI Worldwide, CEVA Logistic is accelerating its expansion in East and Southern Africa," it said in a statement. 

It added that it will provide a platform for further investment and expansion throughout the continent, with the objective of offering CEVA’s customers a seamless network, facilitating cargo movement within Africa and strengthening trade ties with the rest of the world.

CEVA Logistics is integrating three CMA CGM inland services facilities

Three CMA CGM Inland Services (CCIS) facilities are also joining CEVA’s network in Mali, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast.

CEVA said these intermodal sites provide a launch platform for the company’s freight management ambitions.

CEVA is also expanding in Mauritania, where a direct presence has been established with extensive expertise in transit corridor operations, and in Ethiopia, where a new joint venture with MACFAA will be integrated into the CEVA network once all regulatory approvals are obtained.

Market leader in Africa

CEVA said with these new strategic investments, it is greatly expanding its capabilities in Africa, where it is able to provide a full range of logistics services to meet the rapid growth of the retail and consumer goods markets there.

In total, CEVA Logistics in Africa will represent a presence in 41 countries through 79 offices;1,300 staff members;19 full-service warehouses providing 135,000 square meters of storage capacity; and a fleet of 1,500 trucks.

"Businesses across the African continent enjoy significant growth prospects and logistics solutions are crucial to materializing these opportunities, by ensuring supply chains work well and trade flows run smoothly. With our strategic, continental expansion plan, CEVA will play an integral part in supporting the continent’s socio-economic emergence, offering our customers our full range of tailored, innovative solutions along with our recognized expertise and our operational excellence. In so doing, we aim to become a leading, continent-wide market player," said Mathieu Friedberg, chief executive officer – CEVA Logistics.

Countries served directly by CEVA in Africa now include Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania (west coast); Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo (Central Africa);  Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe (Southern Africa); and Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda (Eastern Africa).