Building Resilient, Innovative Supply Chains Across Africa
•February 18, 2026
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Why It Matters
DHL’s strategic investment and focus on African logistics will lower trade barriers, accelerate economic growth, and create a talent pipeline essential for businesses seeking reliable supply‑chain footholds on the continent.
Key Takeaways
- •Trade patterns shifting from US to Middle East, Africa due to tariffs.
- •DHL investing $300M to boost African logistics infrastructure and visibility.
- •Regional hubs emerging in GCC, Egypt, Morocco, Ethiopia industrial zones.
- •Leadership emphasizes in‑person engagement across 26 African countries.
- •Future supply‑chain talent needs adaptability, digital fluency, local insight.
Summary
The Supply Chain Now episode spotlights DHL Global Forwarding’s Middle East and Africa CEO Toby Meyer as he outlines a bold vision for building resilient, innovative supply chains across the continent. The conversation frames the shifting global trade landscape—U.S. tariffs redirecting Chinese exports toward Africa and the Middle East—and highlights massive infrastructure investments, including DHL’s $300 million commitment to enhance visibility, reliability, and capacity in 26 African markets.
Meyer identifies three primary forces reshaping logistics: tariff‑driven trade rerouting, the race among GCC nations and emerging hubs in Egypt, Morocco, and Ethiopia to become regional logistics centers, and the need for robust electricity and transport infrastructure to support industrial production. He cites Ethiopia’s new industrial zones producing solar panels and textiles for the U.S., underscoring how policy changes can quickly alter supply‑chain configurations.
Memorable moments include Meyer’s mantra that “trade always finds its way like water through rivers,” and a nod to French philosopher Frédéric Bastiat’s warning that “if goods don’t cross borders, soldiers will.” The host also references Meyer’s personal journey—from German economics graduate to global logistics leader—illustrating the serendipitous paths that feed talent into the industry.
The implications are clear: sustained capital infusion and a focus on local talent development will unlock Africa’s logistical potential, offering multinational firms more reliable routes and opening new markets for African producers. Companies that invest in digital fluency and adaptable leadership will capture the competitive edge as the continent’s trade networks mature.
Original Description
Supply chains are recalibrating, and the Middle East and Africa are investing aggressively to meet the moment.
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton and special guest co-host Yaseen Ahmid welcome Toby Maier, CEO for Middle East and Africa at DHL Global Forwarding, for a wide-ranging conversation on what is changing trade and logistics across the region. Toby breaks down how recent tariffs are redirecting export flows into the Middle East and Africa, why GCC countries are racing to build world-class logistics hubs, and how production is shifting from Turkey toward markets like Egypt and Morocco.
They also explore what it will take to build stronger, more reliable supply chains across Africa, from investment in life sciences and healthcare infrastructure to modernized regulation that reduces delays at customs. Toby shares how DHL’s publicly announced $300 million investment through 2030 prioritizes end-to-end capability that helps medicines, vaccines, and other critical products reach communities across a fast-growing population. The conversation also tackles the practical realities of energy access, data centers, and the cost to deliver goods, plus how sustainability efforts like electrified fleets and sustainable aviation fuel can support performance and emissions goals at the same time.
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Intro
(03:13) Getting to know guest Toby Maier and co-host Yaseen Ahmid
(06:05) Toby’s journey in global logistics leadership
(11:17) Trade shifts and what they mean for Africa
(15:24) DHL’s investment focus across Africa
(18:18) Infrastructure and power realities on the ground
(22:50) Building efficiency and sustainability into the network
(24:22) Renewable energy progress and practical pathways
(26:37) What commitment to sustainability looks like at DHL
(30:26) Developing talent and leadership across the continent
(40:09) Why emerging markets belong on your career map
Additional Links & Resources:
Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
WEBINAR- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Embedded AI that senses, explains, and optimizes: https://bit.ly/4pOGgyo
WEBINAR- ChatGPT Is Just the Beginning for Shipping: https://bit.ly/3YLFGq7
This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Yaseen Ahmid, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/building-resilient-innovative-supply-chains-across-africa-1547
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For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at production@supplychainnow.com © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.
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