INDUSTRY NEWS
INVESTS HEAVILY IN SA’ S GROWTH
Portugal-based Rangel Logistics Solutions, a family-owned international logistics company, has announced a € 6 million( R125.6 million) investment in a South African warehouse. This investment reaffirms the company’ s commitment to Africa and its belief in the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area( AfCFTA) agreement. Rangel entered the South African market in 2020 and aims to support Africa’ s growth and job creation through its logistics solutions
Tiago Pocinho, Rangel Country Manager, says the company takes its commitment to Africa very seriously.
STRATEGIC EXPANSION AND JOB CREATION The new 10,000 m2 warehouse, located near OR Tambo International Airport, will act as the central hub for Rangel’ s growing Contract Logistics offering. The facility was announced at the opening ceremony and will offer bonded storage, crossdocking services, and an OS Bond Store and SOS Bond Store for goods storage up to 24 and 6 months, respectively. While in the bonded warehouse, goods are exempt from duties and charges, which are only payable upon release for final destination.
In addition to this investment, the logistics company will also open a new office in Nakop, on the Namibian border, which will augment its current presence in Zambia and Tanzania. The new warehouse is expected to create at least 160 new jobs, with CEO Nuno Rangel anticipating further growth in line with the Contract Logistics gains. Rangel has shifted its focus from cross-border transportation and logistics, where it has successfully established a presence at key border points, to the logistics sector. This move is exemplified by the construction of a new warehouse, which is expected to create at least 160 new jobs. CEO Nuno Rangel anticipates further growth in Contract
Logistics. LEVERAGING AFCFTA AND STRENGTHENING REGIONAL TRADE LINKS The warehouse enhances Rangel’ s South Africa’ s logistical capabilities while facilitating trade between neighbouring markets such as Mozambique, Zambia, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
“ Today, we are becoming a benchmark in transport for the mining sector in the main logistics corridors of the SADC region, from the DRC to the main ports- Durban, Beira, Walvis Bay and Dar es Salaam- carrying out highly demanding and complex operations, especially in the transport of copper( cathodes, concentrate, blyster) cobalt hidroxyde and zinc,” adds Nuno Rangel.
Rangel has invested € 7M in Zambia, Tanzania, and South Africa since 2020. This includes expansion to Zambia in 2021 and Tanzania in 2022, as well as the establishment of four offices along South Africa’ s primary borders. International operations currently account for 20 % of the company’ s total revenue, with South Africa contributing 8 % of that figure.
At the launch ceremony in the warehouse, big enough to house more than 500 average-sized cars, Nuno Rangel said,“ we want to be an African company
and not only help connect the Southern African Development Community to Europe, but also facilitate trade among African countries”.
Eduardo Rangel established Rangel in 1980. His son, Nuno Rangel, was encouraged to explore investment opportunities in South Africa by Whitey Basson, a South African businessman and former CEO of Shoprite. Subsequently, Rangel invested in South Africa.
At a stylish event attended by diplomats from Portugal and Botswana, including the Portuguese Ambassador to South Africa, Nuno Rangel addressed the guests and acknowledged Basson’ s role in Rangel’ s investment in South Africa. Basson also spoke at the event, attributing Shoprite’ s growth across Africa in part to its strong logistics capabilities. Basson also pointed to Africa’ s vast potential. The continent is anticipated to see gross domestic product growth of 4 % by 2026 according to United Nations figures, with AfCFTA set to play an important role in this expansion.
The bonded warehouse offers operating bond space for goods storage for up to two years as well as a special operating storage that enables goods housing for up to six months.
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aBr WORDS IN ACTION 06 MAY 2025