GEODIS has launched a regional road transport service designed to connect South Africa with ten neighboring countries, reinforcing its presence in Africa’s logistics sector and providing businesses with a dependable cross-border trucking option.
The service, operational since July, is run from an operational hub in Johannesburg and links South Africa to Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. By using Johannesburg as a distribution gateway, the company is positioning itself to handle a diverse mix of commodities for clients across multiple industries.
The offering caters to both full truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments, with flexible scheduling and routing options. According to GEODIS, these features are intended to reduce delays, address customs-related challenges, and improve the efficiency of moving goods across Southern Africa’s often complex border networks.
Cobus Fourie, Managing Director at GEODIS in South Africa, said the aim is to simplify logistics in a region where transport disruptions are common. “Cross-border logistics in Africa often comes with challenges. With this new service, we aim to offer our customers a seamless flow of cargo from origin to destination, backed by our regional expertise and reliable infrastructure,” he explained.
Connecting Key Regional Hubs
The service currently reaches ten countries, serving major cities and economic hubs including Luanda, Gaborone, Lubumbashi, Mbabane, Maseru, Blantyre, Lilongwe, Maputo, Windhoek, Lusaka, Ndola, Harare, and Bulawayo. These routes link mining centers, industrial bases, and consumer markets, reflecting the region’s growing demand for structured transport services.
Johannesburg’s central role as a hub ensures that freight can be consolidated and dispatched efficiently. The service uses predefined transit schedules but also allows for tailored routing, an option that has proven important for industries needing time-sensitive or customized solutions.
Addressing Regional Logistics Challenges
Cross-border transport in Southern Africa has long been hampered by customs delays, infrastructure gaps, and fluctuating demand. By leveraging its established network, GEODIS is aiming to mitigate these issues with scalable capacity and consistent service levels.
The company highlights that the system is designed not just for standard cargo but also for specialized and project freight that requires careful coordination. This could prove significant for sectors such as energy, mining, and infrastructure development, where reliable supply chain performance is critical.
Strengthening African Footprint
With this initiative, GEODIS deepens its footprint on the African continent, where logistics services are increasingly essential to economic growth. The company has indicated that it will continue to adapt and expand its offering in line with regional trade flows and customer requirements.
The launch demonstrates how international logistics providers are responding to the demand for more integrated solutions in Africa’s developing economies. By linking South Africa’s industrial base with surrounding markets, GEODIS aims to provide a transport backbone that supports trade and economic activity across the region.
