Building Resilient, Innovative Supply Chains Across Africa

Feb 18, 2026

Toby Maier, CEO for Middle East and Africa at DHL Global Forwarding, leads logistics and investments across the region. He discusses shifting trade flows and GCC countries building major hubs. He covers DHL’s $300M push for life-science logistics, infrastructure and energy challenges, and practical moves toward electrification and sustainable aviation fuel.

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INSIGHT

Tariff Changes Redirect Supply Chains

Tariff shifts redirected exports from China to the Middle East and Africa, changing regional trade flows.
Toby Maier cites US tariffs and production moves from Turkey to Egypt and Morocco as concrete drivers of that trade rerouting.

ADVICE

Invest End To End In Healthcare Logistics

Invest end-to-end in life sciences infrastructure to connect producers to 1.5 billion African consumers.
DHL's $300 million (minimum) to 2030 targets cold chain, clinics, and last-mile to reduce medicines stuck at airports.

INSIGHT

Energy Drives Industrial Viability And Consumer Prices

Energy access and cost directly limit industrial scale and raise consumer prices across Africa.
Toby Maier links unreliable power and high delivery costs to products selling at multiples of US prices in many African markets.

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Supply chains are recalibrating, and the Middle East and Africa are investing aggressively to meet the moment.

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton and special guest co-host Yaseen Ahmid welcome Toby Maier, CEO for Middle East and Africa at DHL Global Forwarding, for a wide-ranging conversation on what is changing trade and logistics across the region. Toby breaks down how recent tariffs are redirecting export flows into the Middle East and Africa, why GCC countries are racing to build world-class logistics hubs, and how production is shifting from Turkey toward markets like Egypt and Morocco.

They also explore what it will take to build stronger, more reliable supply chains across Africa, from investment in life sciences and healthcare infrastructure to modernized regulation that reduces delays at customs. Toby shares how DHL’s publicly announced $300 million investment through 2030 prioritizes end-to-end capability that helps medicines, vaccines, and other critical products reach communities across a fast-growing population. The conversation also tackles the practical realities of energy access, data centers, and the cost to deliver goods, plus how sustainability efforts like electrified fleets and sustainable aviation fuel can support performance and emissions goals at the same time.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(03:13) Getting to know guest Toby Maier and co-host Yaseen Ahmid

(06:05) Toby’s journey in global logistics leadership

(11:17) Trade shifts and what they mean for Africa

(15:24) DHL’s investment focus across Africa

(18:18) Infrastructure and power realities on the ground

(22:50) Building efficiency and sustainability into the network

(24:22) Renewable energy progress and practical pathways

(26:37) What commitment to sustainability looks like at DHL

(30:26) Developing talent and leadership across the continent

(40:09) Why emerging markets belong on your career map

Additional Links & Resources:

Connect with Toby Maier: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-maier/
Connect with Yaseen Ahmid: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaseen-ahmid/
Learn more about DHL Global Forwarding: https://www.dhl.com/
Learn more about Luna: https://luna-resume.com/
Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
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This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Yaseen Ahmid, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/building-resilient-innovative-supply-chains-across-africa-1547