Time-specific freighter FedEx Express made its growth intentions for Africa clear on September 8, when it made history as it touched down at OR Tambo International with a Boeing 777 – becoming the first carrier of its kind to make such a bold statement for intercontinental cargo. The company’s managing director for Southern Africa, André Bresler, believes that the arrival of the 777 Freighter embodies FedEx’s faith in Africa’s growth prospects. “For us it’s not just about making a statement,” he said. “It’s about commitment.” The flight confirmed beyond any doubt, Bresler emphasised, that there’s a need to meet increased demand for on-time inbound and outbound cargo into Africa. The fact that FedEx has also decided to bring its 777 aircraft into Johannesburg reaffirms its intention for South Africa to remain a desired hub for the trans-shipment of freight into and out of sub-Saharan countries, despite the manifold challenges that South Africa’s transport sector has had to face in recent times. The 777’s maiden visit to OR Tambo is all the more significant considering that FedEx has only been involved in express freight from South Africa into the rest of the continent for about six years. “What’s driving the growth,” Bresler said, “is SMMEs” – businesses from the small to medium and micro-enterprise sector. “You want to capitalise on this sector. It accounts for roughly 90% of growth across the African continent, so if SMME entrepreneurs want to connect with African markets, we want to be there to provide them with the necessary freight solutions.” The call from Africa has also sparked internal growth, leading to FedEx taking on heavy load assignments that, to a certain extent, border on project cargo. Said Bresler: “People tend to think of us as an express organisation only, forgetting that we’re actually the largest commercial airline in the world.” He elaborated on this, saying FedEx has handled logistically complex cargo primarily because it has the fleet capacity and support services to punch well above its perceived weight as an express parcel carrier. And, he added, providing an on-time service for clients – who expect immediacy, frequency and punctuality from FedEx – will remain the company’s enduring focus. “We are not a consolidator. We will never wait until we have enough of a load before we fly to our destinations. We will always stay true to providing an integrated, time-definite solution.” The heavy loads that the company has been able to manage, Bresler said, serves as “proof that we are providing a product that wasn’t available in the past”. He added that dangerous goods, perishables and sensitive, highvalue cargo also feature highly on the agenda for increased cargo capacity. As for the company’s ongoing investment in Africa, it stands to reason that much of FedEx’s widening footprint follows in the wake of predictions about the continent’s anticipated future spending power. “We are investing ahead of the curve,” Bresler said, quoting figures of the much-vaunted African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is set to create the world’s largest trade liberalised zone. AfCFTA comprises 54 of Africa’s 55 countries – Eritrea is the zone’s only non-signatory – representing 1.2 billion people with a combined GDP yield of $2 trillion. “That says something of Africa and we want to be there when demand really takes off.” Bresler also touched on e-commerce, the challenges it holds for the continent, and how FedEx is supported with a solid road network which, just in terms of Southern African Development Community countries bordering South Africa, involves same-day dropoff and pick-up. And although e-commerce on the continent still appears to be challenged by issues such as last-mile delivery, particularly in densified areas where physical addresses are a problem, Bresler remains optimistic about the continent’s projected cargo figures. “We are positive about Africa’s growth prospects and we want to be there when capacity is expected to meet demand.”
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We are positive about Africa’s growth prospects. – André Bresler