Logistics

Daimler Truck MEA operates two state-of-the-art warehouses and its advanced training centre underscores the commitment to developing regional talent and delivering unparalleled service. (Image source: DT MEA)

Daimler Truck Middle East Africa (DT MEA), a subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, has announced expanded responsibilities for 59 markets across the Middle East and Africa

“This strategic move positions us to strengthen our regional presence and ensure unparalleled service for our customers alongside our strong partners,” said Michael Dietz, CEO and president of Daimler Truck Middle East Africa. “We look forward to the opportunities this new chapter brings as we continue to grow across these diverse and important markets.”

The new broader regional role will see DT MEA move even closer to its partners and customers to ensure continued delivery of products and services across all markets. The new regional remit has also been described as a further commitment to delivering quality Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Buses and FUSO Trucks and Buses for its customers.

Falcon Aerospace offers of aviation services including private jet charter, aircraft maintenance, sales and fractional ownership. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Falcon Aerospace, a Nigerian aviation firm, has set its eyes on the global market and is targeting rapid expansion in the coming years

As outlined on a release on Zawya, one of the most overt indications of this ambition is through the young company’s sponsoring of the Investing in Africa Conference, 7-9 October in London.

“Falcon Aero is committed to the vision of a prosperous Africa,” commented Chukwuerika Achum, CEO of Falcon Aerospace. “To actualise this vision, there must be seamless connectivity of people, ideas and culture with and within the continent, and we believe in the power of business aviation to facilitate this connectivity across borders.”

“Falcon Aero’s growth in the past two years has been phenomenal,” added chief operating officer, Tejumade Salami. “From the beginning, we set out to democratise business aviation services by improving accessibility and affordability without compromising luxury, efficiency and safety. Today, our operations continue to expand outside Nigeria. We are proud of our growth and are seeking investments and partnerships to fuel this expansion.”

An enhanced travel experience

The company offers of aviation services including private jet charter, aircraft maintenance, sales and fractional ownership. Moreover its portfolio comprises Vivajets, a private aviation services provider; Charterxe, a digital booking platform; and FlyPJX, a charter per seat platform.

Basil Agbor, head of products and innovation, said, “Innovation and technology have been critical factors in our success story. We are building products that integrate digital technology with tailored service delivery to improve booking and travel experience.”

The project team consists of GoMetro, Powerfleet, HSW, ACDC Dynamics alongside various entities within Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Engineering. (Image source: GoMetro)

A consortium led by GoMetro, a transport technology platform, has launched eKamva, South Africa’s first electric minibus taxi model

Revealed at the Smarter Mobility Africa Summit, the announcement was made alongside the launch of an integrated new electric vehicle business model and charging infrastructure product called flx EV.

The unveiling of eKamva comes at a time when South African commuters are reportedly spending up to 40% of their income on transport and minibus taxis contributing an estimated 30mn tonnes of CO₂ in South Africa alone.

The flx EV website will allow minibus taxi owners and operators to apply to be added to the waiting list for the solution. flx EV is in the process of developing charging hubs with partners across South Africa, with the first hubs slated for development in Century City and Stellenbosch in the next 12 months. The flx EV app will let taxi owners manage their fleets, see each vehicle’s status and prepay for recharging, while drivers will be directed to their closest charging hub.

“This is a new approach to electrifying the smaller-vehicle public transport industry,” remarked GoMetro CEO Justin Coetzee. “We believe it will spark an entirely new economic sector and is socio-economically very important for the automotive sector.”

The benefits of electric

Switching electric will bring numerous advantages to taxi owners and, of course, to the environment. According to GoMetro, replacing urban taxi and shuffle fleets with eKamvas could reduce CO2 emissions by 13.7 tonnes per vehicle per annum.

“Most taxis spend up to three hours a day between morning and evening peak hours at the ranks we have analysed, more than sufficient time to fast-charge an eKwamva,” commented project lead Rudi Kriel. “EVs have fewer breakdowns than internal combustion vehicles, and are cheaper to run, which leads to increased profitability per vehicle – and they have a longer life expectancy. EVs also reduce nitrous oxides, sulphur oxides and particulate matter (known as PM2.5 particles) in the air, improving community health, a major cost factor for the Government.”

With a range of more than 200 km, the 15-seated eKamva is able to fast-charge within 75 minutes via a 60kW DC charger. Alternatively, it can be slow-charged overnight for 10 hours. An estimated 40-70% running cost savings are achieved by using the eKamva over traditional vehicles.

“The minibus taxi has long been a cornerstone of South Africa’s public transport system, reliably moving millions of people — from families to daily commuters— every day,” said Mario Maio, founder and CEO of ACDC Dynamics. “As the demand for sustainability grows, it is clear that the transportation industry must evolve. At ACDC Dynamics, we are proud to play a pivotal role in this transformation by providing EV charging solutions and sustainable energy products. By integrating electric-powered taxis and expanding charging networks, we are not only reducing the carbon footprint of this essential industry but also helping to create a greener, more responsible South Africa for future generations.”

E-mobility is certainly taking off on the continent, led by a number of innovative companies. Ampersand, for example, has targeted expansion into East Africa following the raising of significant capital over the last year.

The Môle Est project has been described as a major step for Pointe Noire port. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Congo Terminal, a subsidiary of Africa Global Logistics (AGL), has committed to a significant investment in order to construct a new port terminal at the port of Pointe-Noire

EU€400mn (approx US$447mn) has been earmarked for the new terminal that will have 750 m of quays with a draught of 17 m, 26 ha of quayside, and 16 gantries 100% electric, including 4 STS and 12 RTG. A major dredging campaign will also be undertaken in order to widen the challen to 300 m at the bend and 250 m at the other sections. Named ‘Môle Est’, work has reportedly already begun on the new terminal and it is expected to be operational in 2027.

“The construction of the East Mole is a joint project of the Port Autonome de Pointe-Noire (PAPN) and Congo Terminal to increase the nautical and operational capacities of the Pointe-Noire container terminal, in order to anticipate the new needs of users of the Port of Pointe-Noire and shipping lines that will be able to ship in their largest vessels. Pointe-Noire is becoming a benchmark on the world maritime landscape,” remarked Anthony Samzu, managing director of Congo Terminal.

With the new infrastructure, Congo Terminal will be able to accommodate larger capacity vessels from around the world and will increase terminal capacity from 1mn to more than 2.3mn twenty foot equivalent containers (TEUs) handled per year. Not only will this provide a welcome economic and social injection into the country but more than 900 additional jobs are expected to be created alongside the new development.