SGL expands in the African continent

Fast-growing freight forwarder Scan Global Logistics (SGL) has opened its first office in Kenya as it looks to expand on the African continent.
The Nairobi office is in addition to the forwarder’s presence in Togo, Benin, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal and South Africa.
“The expansion into Kenya is a pivotal part of [our] ambitious growth strategy and will help strengthen its geographical coverage and tap into the region’s significant potential,” the forwarder said in a press release.
SGL said it saw great potential in the region and highlighted the opening of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) that connects coastal Mombasa with inland Nairobi, the improved road infrastructure over the last years, and Kenya’s “advantageous location as the gateway for East Africa”.
Looking ahead, the company is hoping to add more offices on the continent.
Lars Syberg, SGL chief executive of Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “Kenya is fast developing and becoming a logistics hub for East Africa. The market is ripe for an international logistics company offering comprehensive end-to-end solutions to local and global customers.
“Moreover, Africa is the fastest growing continent with a population of 1.5bn and a growing middle class. Our future expansion strategy includes but is not limited to, neighboring countries Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda.”
SGL said the new office would support aid & relief and commercial cargo customers. Other target markets for the new office include manufacturing, retail, heavy lift projects, electronics, and communications.
Duncan Wagura, who has scooped the position of managing director of SGL Kenya, said: “We will use Kenya as the base of our regional growth to increase and strengthen our presence across East Africa.
“Therefore, we will look to hire more skilled logistics professionals in the future who adhere to our purpose-driven approach of entrepreneurship, a ‘can-do-attitude,’ and a willingness to go the extra mile to help uncomplicate our customers’ world.”
SGL has been expanding rapidly over recent years with revenues increasing by an average of 33% per year since 2017.
Companies acquired by SGL last year include bison Services, B.C. Dispatch, D&W, Trust Forwarding, SAS Cargo Sweden, SAS Cargo Norway, AFL Logistics – American Freight Line Southeast, Sea-Air Logistics, Gelders Forwarding and Advection Logistics, including one minority investment.
The company also opened an office in Bucharest earlier this year.