DHL’s Half-Billion Euro Healthcare Logistics Drive Takes Off in Africa and the Middle East

DHL has begun the rollout of its €500 million healthcare logistics investment across Africa and the Middle East, marking a significant step forward for the region’s pharmaceutical and medical supply chains. Announced as part of a wider, multi-billion-euro global commitment, the initiative is now materializing on the ground in several key countries, including South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

The first wave of projects has seen expansion and upgrades to cold-chain warehousing and packaging capacity, ensuring that sensitive products such as vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, and temperature-controlled therapies are transported and stored with world-class reliability. The investment is also enabling the integration of advanced automation, new packaging technology, and sustainable solutions like electric vehicles and green energy into DHL’s regional network.

One of the key moves already executed is the acquisition and integration of a specialist courier firm with extensive cold-chain expertise, immediately boosting DHL’s ability to manage complex clinical trials and deliver critical medicines safely, even to remote or underserved communities. With this, DHL has ramped up its ability to deliver last-mile healthcare and e-commerce fulfillment across fast-growing markets, supporting national health systems and private providers alike.

The ongoing expansion is particularly significant as African and Middle Eastern nations face increasing demand for medical-grade logistics in response to growing biopharma markets, vaccination campaigns, and the need for more resilient supply chains. DHL’s investment directly supports the development of new storage hubs, enhanced regional distribution centers, and the seamless movement of medical goods across borders.

As this ambitious program unfolds, further construction of temperature-controlled facilities and deployment of digital tracking platforms is expected, along with additional efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of the supply chain. For DHL, this marks a strategic strengthening of its presence in the healthcare sector and signals a long-term commitment to supporting better health outcomes and economic growth in some of the world’s most dynamic emerging markets.

With work already underway, the region is seeing tangible progress—not just promises. DHL’s investment is laying the groundwork for a more connected, reliable, and innovative healthcare logistics network, poised to benefit millions across Africa and the Middle East in the years ahead.

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