FedEx announced on Friday that its subsidiary acquired Supaswift businesses in Botswana and six other countries, which are Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland and Zambia. These acquisitions represent the latest step in the company’s strategy to grow its African network and service offering. FedEx Express now has direct access across the seven countries to 40 facilities and over 1,000 team members, who join the ranks of more than 300,000 FedEx team members globally.
As of today, FedEx Express is offering a complete suite of export, import and domestic solutions across Southern Africa, connecting the region to more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, enhancing customers’ business flexibility and speed to market.
“Southern Africa is a key region for us. The region offers tremendous opportunities for both local and international customers to access new markets and increase market share,” said Frederick W. Smith, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of FedEx Corp.
FedEx Express first entered the African market in the early 1990s through an established network of Global Service Providers. “Acquiring Supaswift businesses is part of our growth strategy in one of the world’s most rapidly developing regions,” said David Binks, regional president, FedEx Express Europe, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa.
The acquisitions provide FedEx Express access to an established regional ground network and extensive knowledge of the Southern Africa region.
“With this transaction now finalized, a new and exciting era begins for our customers and employees”, said Andrew Lovell, Chief Executive Officer, FedEx Express Southern Africa.
“Our current and prospective customers will benefit from an enhanced service portfolio, superior quality and the FedEx global network.”
Supaswift started operations in South Africa in 1990. In 2005, Supaswift merged with MyExpress (Pty) Ltd., which had been offering FedEx Express international services in Southern Africa since 1991.