DHL Supply Chain has announced plans to invest R220 million in a new multi‑user distribution centre in Johannesburg.
The investment was announced as one of the private-sector pledges at the South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC), led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, to mobilise domestic and foreign investment, drive job creation and strengthen investor confidence.
The project will involve the demolition of the existing site and the development of a brand‑new greenfield distribution centre facility. Designed as a multi‑user site, the facility will support customers in the consumer goods sector, including FMCG, enabling local and cross‑border order fulfilment, while providing operational flexibility and long‑term scalability.
Construction is scheduled to begin in July, with the facility expected to become operational in July 2027.
DHL Supply Chain, managing director for Africa, Bremer Pauw, said the investment reflected the company’s long‑term confidence in South Africa as a strategic logistics hub, as well as its commitment to expanding capacity in line with demand.
“In a market where customers are increasingly focused on reliability, speed and cost‑to‑serve, the right infrastructure helps remove friction and gives customers the confidence to scale,” Pauw said.
The development will create approximately 70 jobs during the construction and around 90 permanent roles once the facility is operational.
The new facility will be developed as a carbon‑neutral site, aligning with DHL Group’s sustainability ambitions. It will also incorporate modern material‑handling solutions, including electrical tow motors and equipment, to support more efficient, future‑ready operations.
The investment forms part of DHL Group’s broader commitment to sub‑Saharan Africa. In 2025, the group announced a planned investment of around €300 million (R5.8 billion) across the region to expand logistics infrastructure and strengthen service capabilities across its divisions.
DHL Supply Chain said South Africa remained a key pillar of this strategy, given its role as the region’s largest and most diversified economy and an important gateway for trade into and across the continent.
