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Brazil logistics firm JSL enters Ghanaian market in Africa expansion

Ramon Alcaraz, the chief executive of Brazil's largest logistics company JSL, said that JSL was expanding beyond Latin America to new markets in Africa.

JSL, with 8.9 billion dollars in revenue in 2023, is about announce its second operation on the continent. It will be setting foot in Ghana, after having entered South Africa around three years ago.

Alcaraz stated in an interview that "we want to grow in Africa in countries where there is plenty of opportunity."

JSL operates in nine countries: Brazil, Paraguay (Argentina), Chile, South Africa, and now Ghana. It was founded in 1956 and focuses on a variety of activities, including cargo transport, storage, and urban distribution.

In South Africa the company operates with about 300 trucks, while in Ghana they are starting out with 40 trucks. Alcaraz says that the company plans to double its size in Ghana in the next two-years.

The executive stated that JSL also considers opportunities in other African countries, such as the populous but troublesome Nigeria, when possible.

Alcaraz stated that Africa has many countries with a high population, where even small improvements in the economy can result in a huge increase in consumption. "In Africa, all we need is to improve the general conditions for us to double or triple consumption."

Brazilian company is also expanding rapidly its domestic operations, not only organically but also through acquisitions.

It has acquired eight rivals in the country over the past four years. Alcaraz stated that JSL was still open to new Brazilian deals, with a focus on companies with revenues up to 1,5 billion reais.

The Brazilian logistics market is highly fragmented and has very few entry barriers. Its activity is strongly linked to the economic cycle. The country also has no rail network, so it relies heavily on road transport.

The executive also noted that several African countries are facing huge infrastructure challenges. Roads have become a vital mode of transport in these countries.

JSL's shares have fallen 16% this year. Simpar is the company that controls JSL. ($1 = 5,4398 reais). (Reporting and editing by Louise Heavens.

(source: Reuters)