The East and Southern Africa warehousing and storage market has recorded steady growth in recent years, supported by expanding trade activity, rising industrial output, increasing agricultural exports, and continued investment in logistics infrastructure. The region is consolidating its position as a critical gateway for intra-African and global trade, with growing demand for bulk warehousing, multipurpose storage, and cold chain facilities across major economies including South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Namibia.
Several structural and infrastructure-driven factors are supporting the growth of the regional warehousing and storage sector.
Trade Corridor and Infrastructure Development Driving Warehouse Demand - Ongoing investment in ports, railways, airports, dry ports, logistics hubs, and special economic zones is enhancing regional connectivity and increasing demand for storage infrastructure across East and Southern Africa.
Agricultural and Cold Chain Expansion Supporting Specialized Storage Growth - Rising agricultural production and the growing export of fruits, grains, meat, and perishable commodities are driving investment in cold storage facilities and commodity storage infrastructure across the region.
Manufacturing, Mining, and Industrial Growth Increasing Storage Requirements - Expanding manufacturing activity, mining exports, and rising industrial production are generating sustained demand for bulk warehousing and multipurpose storage facilities to support both domestic consumption and international trade across the region.
E-Commerce and Retail Expansion Boosting Modern Warehousing Needs - The rapid growth of e-commerce, organised retail, and consumer distribution networks is accelerating demand for modern warehouse facilities, fulfilment centres, and value-added logistics services across key urban and industrial centres in the region.
Strategic Port and Logistics Hub Developments Strengthening Regional Trade Connectivity - Capacity expansions at major ports including Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Walvis Bay, and Durban, combined with improvements in multimodal transport infrastructure and logistics corridor development, are enhancing cargo throughput and reinforcing East and Southern Africa's strategic position within regional and international supply chains.

East & Southern Africa Warehousing and Storage Market Revenue Past and Present Performance, 2023-2026E
Makreo Research
The East & Southern Africa warehousing and storage market is witnessing steady expansion, supported by investments in ports, railways, airports, dry ports, logistics corridors, and special economic zones. Rising trade activity, industrialization, agricultural exports, and the growth of e-commerce are strengthening demand for warehousing and cold chain infrastructure across the region.
The strategic location of countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, and Namibia along major Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean trade routes further enhances the region's importance within African and global supply chains. Growing cargo volumes and improving multimodal connectivity are reinforcing East & Southern Africa's position as a key logistics and trade gateway for the continent.
The Kenya warehousing and storage market witnessed relatively subdued growth during 2023-2026. While the country continued to benefit from its position as East Africa's logistics hub, growth was constrained by weaker private sector activity, high borrowing costs, and supply chain disruptions. Although the market experienced a temporary decline in 2026, Kenya's strategic importance as the gateway to East and Central Africa, coupled with growing e-commerce penetration, expanding agricultural exports, and investments in logistics infrastructure, are expected to support a recovery in warehousing demand.
South Africa E-Commerce Forecast, 2025-2030F
Dar es Salaam Port - Cargo-Handling Capacity and Modernization Expansion
In 2026, the Port of Dar es Salaam advanced major expansion and modernization initiatives designed to improve operational efficiency and increase annual cargo-handling capacity beyond 30 million tonnes by FY 2027. The Tanzania Ports Authority has also established a long-term throughput target of 54.59 million tonnes by FY 2031
Imperial Logistics South Africa Holdings Proprietary Limited - End-to-End Supply-Chain Integration
In March 2025, Dubai-based DP World completed the acquisition of Imperial Logistics for approximately USD 890 million. The strategic transaction was aimed at strengthening DP World’s logistics capabilities across Africa by integrating Imperial Logistics’ regional network and operational expertise to provide comprehensive end-to-end supply-chain, transportation, distribution, and warehousing services.
DHL Africa - EUR 300 Million Logistics Infrastructure Expansion
In October 2025, DHL Group announced plans to invest more than EUR 300 million across Sub-Saharan Africa to expand logistics infrastructure, strengthen supply-chain capabilities, and support regional trade growth. The investment will be deployed through DHL Express, DHL Global Forwarding, and DHL Supply Chain operations, supporting demand across sectors including e-commerce, healthcare, energy, agriculture, and industrial logistics.
Safcor Freight (Pty) Limited - 40,000 m² Automotive Container Yard in South Africa
In November 2025, Bidvest International Logistics, in partnership with BMW Group South Africa and Maersk, launched a custom-built 40,000 m² container yard in Rosslyn, South Africa. The facility was developed to support BMW’s production supply chain through container handling, storage, and integrated logistics services, while expanding Bidvest International Logistics’ capacity to serve additional customers and support future growth in South Africa’s automotive export sector.
In 2025, Transnet SOC Ltd. secured EUR 300 million in financing from the French Development Agency (AFD) to support railway rehabilitation, renewable energy adoption, and port modernization in South Africa.
In 2025, DHL Group committed more than EUR 300 million to expand logistics infrastructure, warehousing capacity, and supply-chain operations across Africa.
In 2025, Leta Inc., a Nairobi-based logistics technology platform Leta Inc. raised USD 5 million in a Seed funding round led by Speedinvest, with participation from Google’s Africa Investment Fund and Equator. The funding will support the expansion of its AI-powered logistics and supply-chain optimization platform across Africa and the Middle East.
Makreo Research has published a comprehensive report titled "East and Southern Africa Warehousing and Storage Market and Forecast to 2031 - Analysis by Warehouse Type (Bulk Warehousing, Multipurpose Warehousing), Storage Type, Temperature, Logistics Infrastructure, Transport Mode, End-Use Industry, and Geography". The report provides an in-depth assessment of the East and Southern Africa warehousing and storage market, examining its historical development, current operating environment, evolving industry trends, and long-term growth outlook. The analysis covers key regional economies, including South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Namibia, with market forecasts extending through 2030.
The report begins by evaluating the overall development of the East & Southern Africa Warehousing and Storage sector, focusing on key structural elements shaping the industry, including:
The report begins with a detailed assessment of the regional warehousing and storage market, evaluating historical trends and current market size. It provides segmentation analysis across bulk warehousing and multipurpose warehousing and highlights country-wise market performance.
The study evaluates the regional logistics ecosystem across the six covered countries, including ports, railway networks, airports, inland logistics hubs, dry ports, industrial parks, and special economic zones.
Dedicated sections assess cargo throughput trends, port performance, multimodal transport connectivity, regional trade corridors, and ongoing logistics infrastructure expansion projects across major gateways.
Separate sections assess warehouse rental rates, asset pricing, vacancy rates, construction costs, and investment opportunities in major logistics locations.
The report examines the development of cold storage, temperature-controlled warehousing, grain storage, and commodity storage infrastructure across the region.
The study further analyzes the major end-use industries driving regional warehousing demand, including agriculture, mining, manufacturing, automotive, chemicals, petroleum, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, and wholesale and retail sectors.
The report also reviews export and import trends, commodity flows, regional trade patterns, and major trading partners across the six countries.
A dedicated section benchmarks leading port operators, warehouse operators, logistics companies, and commodity storage providers based on geographical presence, operational capabilities, infrastructure scale, and financial performance.
Detailed company profiles are included for major players, highlighting business overviews, strategic developments, and financial performance.
The study also examines mergers and acquisitions, strategic investments, divestments, joint ventures, partnerships, capacity expansion initiatives, and funding activities influencing the regional warehousing and storage market.
The report concludes with forward-looking projections for the overall market and its bulk and multipurpose warehousing segments through 2030.
It identifies emerging opportunities, infrastructure developments, key challenges, and structural trends expected to influence the East & Southern Africa warehousing and storage market during the forecast period.
2023 - 2026: Past and Present Scenario
2026: Base year of study
2026 - 2031: Future Outlook
Bulk Warehousing
Multipurpose Warehousing
Ambient/Dry Storage
Cold Storage
Non-Temperature Controlled
Temperature-Controlled
Agriculture
Mining
Manufacturing
Automotive
Chemicals
Petroleum
E-Commerce
Wholesale & Retail
Port-Based Warehouses
Inland Warehouses
Dry Ports
SEZ/Industrial Park Warehouses
Urban Warehouses
Industrial Corridor Warehouses
Border Logistics Hubs
Port-Centric Warehouses
Road Logistics
Rail Logistics
Maritime Logistics
Air Cargo Logistics
South Africa
Kenya
Ethiopia
Tanzania
Rwanda
Namibia
Competition
Mergers, Acquisitions, and Investments
Funding Timeline
Company Profiles
Grindrod Limited
DP World Limited
Africa Global Logistics SAS
APM Terminals B.V.
The study covers a total of 12 East & Southern Africa Warehousing and Storage Market companies. To know more, please reach out to [email protected].
Looking for a Section from Report? Start your Partial Purchase Request