DHL: U.S.-Africa trade to increase

   Officials at DHL Express peg U.S. trade with Sub-Saharan Africa for continued growth due to the recent U.S. presidential policy directive aimed at sustainable development through trade.
   DHL officials say trade between Africa and Europe has decreased since 2001, just as trade with Asia has increased. The United States, the express carrier believes, is the next big trading partner for the African region.
   “We have already seen this increased trade in specific countries on the continent, as they take advantage of preferential trade agreements and state-led policy change to increase exports and imports with the U.S.,” DHL’s Charles Brewer said in a statement.
   The integrator has recorded double-digit volume growth, on both outbound and inbound lanes, between the United States and Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Angola and South Africa. Rising economies like South Sudan and Somalia are seeing even greater growth, according to DHL.
   “There is no doubt that there is commitment to trade growth from the respective governments, and these figures will continue to rise,” Brewer said. “It is now the role of the private sector and the thousands of SMEs looking for opportunities to take advantage of this growth, and build success on this lucrative trade lane.”