Let’s forget President Trump’s tariffs and ‘trade wars’ for now and focus on constructive brokers of international relations, shall we? In this instance, a family-owned Portuguese international logistics company with existing operations in South Africa – Ragel Logistics Solutions – which recently announced an additional investment of R125.6 million in a warehouse in South Africa.
The company entered the South African market in 2020 and has reaffirmed its commitment to helping Africa realise the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
Covering an area of 10 000 m² near OR Tambo International Airport, the new warehouse will serve as a central hub for Rangel’s expanding Contract Logistics offering, as announced at the opening ceremony. The facility also provides bonded storage, divided into an OS Bond Store (Operating Store) for goods storage up to 24 months and an SOS Bond Store (Special Operating Store) for storage up to 6 months, as well as cross-docking services. During their stay in the bonded warehouse, goods are exempt from duties and charges, payable only 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 and we anticipate further growth in line with the Contract Logistics gains,” says Rangel CEO Nuno Rangel.
Since entering South Africa, Rangel’s primary focus has been on transportation and cross-border logistics as it sought to establish a presence at key border points. Having succeeded in this aim, the company is now strengthening its footprint in the logistics sector.
Strengthening regional trade links
The warehouse enhances Rangel’s South African 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, blister), cobalt hydroxide and zinc,” adds Rangel.
Since 2020, the company has opened four offices on the main South African borders and expanded its presence to Zambia (2021) and Tanzania (2022), bringing the total investment in the three countries to R143.5m. In total, the international operation represents around 20% of the company’s turnover, with South Africa accounting for 8% of that volume.
Rangel, which was founded in 1980 by Eduardo Rangel, Nuno’s father, invested in South Africa after Whitey Basson, South African businessman and former Shoprite CEO, inspired Nuno Rangel to examine the country’s potential, Nuno Rangel says.
Addressing guests at the stylish event attended by diplomats from Portugal and Botswana, including the Portuguese Ambassador to South Africa, Basson said Shoprite’s growth across Africa was partially the result of it having good 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.
Carlos Costa Neves, the Portuguese ambassador to South Africa, wished the company great success: “We are safe in the hands of Rangel,” he said.
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.”
