DHL purchases a partial share in the logistics business Ajex, based in Saudi Arabia.
DHL Ecommerce Expands in Saudi Arabia Through Acquisition of Ajex
DHL Ecommerce, a division of the global logistics giant, has made a strategic move to expand its operations in Saudi Arabia by acquiring a minority stake in Ajex, a local parcel logistics company. The financial details and exact size of the stake were not disclosed.
This acquisition aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative, which identifies logistics as one of its key growth pillars. The move is part of a broader €500 million investment in Middle East logistics planned through 2030.
Pablo Ciano, CEO of DHL Ecommerce, stated that the acquisition is a key component of their corporate Strategy 2030 'Accelerate Sustainable Growth'. The investment spans all DHL divisions, focusing on infrastructure expansion, technology upgrades, sustainability initiatives, and tailored logistics solutions.
Ajex, which began operations in 2021, employs 1,500 team members and operates over 50 facilities with a fleet of more than 900 vehicles for domestic parcel processing and delivery. The growing e-commerce market in Saudi Arabia, which is expanding at double-digit rates, is driving this expansion.
The acquisition marks DHL Ecommerce's entry into Saudi Arabia, where other DHL Group divisions have been operating since the 1970s. The deal represents DHL Ecommerce's expansion into the Kingdom's rapidly growing e-commerce parcel market.
DHL Express is expanding air hub capacity to shorten transit times, while DHL E-Commerce leverages Ajex to enhance its domestic last-mile capabilities and overall e-commerce offering. Future plans include continuing to develop regional logistics infrastructure, incorporating advanced technology such as electric trucks and automated warehouses, and pursuing strategic partnerships to improve multi-modal transport integration.
This strategic move is intended to meet the rapid growth in online trade and export activity from Saudi companies and support entrepreneurs and SMEs in scaling internationally through reliable, scalable logistics solutions. The Gulf region is becoming an increasingly critical global logistics hub linking Asia, Europe, and Africa.
DHL Ecommerce has also secured an option to increase its interest to a majority stake in Ajex in the future. Ajex has quickly established itself as a leading parcel service provider in Saudi Arabia, and this acquisition is set to strengthen DHL's competitive position in the rapidly growing B2C e-commerce segment in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, enabling improved fulfillment and delivery services for the booming online retail market.
DHL Ecommerce, in its Strategy 2030 'Accelerate Sustainable Growth', has invested a portion of its €500 million Middle East logistics plan into the finance sector, acquiring a stake in Ajex, a Saudi Arabian parcel logistics company. This move will bolster DHL's foothold in the Kingdom's burgeoning e-commerce industry, aiming to cater to the growing demand for reliable, scalable logistics solutions in the region.
