Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) made a strategic investment in Alistair Group, a Tanzania-based cross-border logistics company serving Sub-Saharan Africa. The deal grants MOL a 25 per cent stake in Alistair, expanding their footprint in the region’s burgeoning logistics sector.

Alistair Group operates in eight countries across Southeast Africa, specializing in cross-border truck transportation of critical mineral resources like copper and cobalt. The company manages the entire logistics chain for these resources, including customs clearance, warehousing, port cargo handling, and digital transformation (DX) logistics services. Alistair boasts a fleet of approximately 450 trucks and employs around 1,000 personnel.

This investment aligns with MOL’s long-standing commitment to Africa. Notably, MOL was the first Japanese shipping company to establish a route between Japan and the east coast of Africa in 1926, marking nearly a century of maritime transport services on the continent. MOL possesses a well-established presence in Africa, with offices in South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, and Mauritius. Their operations extend beyond ocean freight forwarding, encompassing air freight forwarding, land transport, warehousing, and even the export of used Japanese agricultural machinery.

The partnership will leverage MOL’s global network and expertise in shipping and logistics with Alistair’s strong foothold in Southeast African cross-border operations. This synergy aims to provide a wider range of high-quality logistics services to customers across Africa.

“We’ve set an ambitious vision and are taking decisive steps to solidify our position as the leading logistics provider across the African continent,” Alistair Group CEO, Alistair James, said. “We look forward to continuing to fund the growth of our core business while also investing further in our cutting-edge technology and regional infrastructure developments.”

MOL anticipates significant growth potential in Africa due to the continent’s expanding population and rich natural resources, including promising renewable energy sources. This investment in Alistair Group positions MOL to capitalize on these opportunities and contribute to the development of Africa’s logistics infrastructure.