CEVA acquires AMI Worldwide; expands business in Africa

CEVA Logistics has acquired a controlling shareholding in AMI Worldwide, a third-party logistics provider with an extensive network in East and Southern Africa, which has more than 100 years of expertise in the region. The AMI Worldwide office network in 12 countries in East and Southern Africa and its almost 1,000 employees will join the CEVA global network, effective July 1. They will provide a platform for further investment and expansion throughout the continent.

CEVA Logistics is integrating three CMA CGM Inland Services facilities and opening its own new operations

Three CMA CGM Inland Services (CCIS) facilities are also joining CEVA’s network in Mali, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast. These intermodal sites provide a launch platform for the company’s freight management ambitions. They offer freight forwarding services in addition to their full range of inland solutions related to container fleet management and ocean freight value-added services such as “Reefer” (refrigerated container) management services, stuffing and de-stuffing of containers, dry port and container depot functions. These entities keep their close relationship with CEVA’s parent company, the CMA CGM Group, a world leader in shipping and logistics, which enjoys a historically strong continental presence.

CEVA is also expanding in Mauritania, where a direct presence has been established with extensive expertise in transit corridor operations, and in Ethiopia, where a new joint venture with MACFAA will be integrated into the CEVA network once all regulatory approvals are obtained.

CEVA's goals for the African market

With these new strategic investments, CEVA is greatly expanding its capabilities in Africa, where it is able to provide a full range of logistics services to meet the rapid growth of the retail and consumer goods markets there. Simultaneously, it is able to link its customers to its strong global network alongside its best-in-class services and unmatched expertise.
In total, CEVA Logistics in Africa will represent: a presence in 41 countries through 79 offices; 1,300 staff members; 19 full-service warehouses providing 135,000 square meters of storage capacity; a fleet of 1,500 trucks

Mathieu Friedberg, chief executive officer – CEVA Logistics, stated: “Businesses across the African continent enjoy significant growth prospects and logistics solutions are crucial to materialising these opportunities, by ensuring supply chains work well and trade flows run smoothly. With our strategic, continental expansion plan, CEVA will play an integral part in supporting the continent’s socio-economic emergence, offering our customers our full range of tailored, innovative solutions along with our recognised expertise and our operational excellence. In so doing, we aim to become a leading, continent-wide market player.”

Countries served directly by CEVA in Africa now comprise: West coast: Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania; Central Africa: Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo; Southern Africa: Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe; Eastern Africa: Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda