Menzies Aviation has recently bolstered its cargo operations in Africa with a new facility at Maputo International Airport (MPM) in Mozambique. This i
Menzies Aviation has recently bolstered its cargo operations in Africa with a new facility at Maputo International Airport (MPM) in Mozambique. This investment reflects Menzies’ confidence in the region’s growth potential, particularly in Mozambique’s economic hub, Maputo.
According to AlAnood AlSuwaidi, Menzies’ Senior Vice President for Cargo, Middle East, Asia & Africa, the new facility is well-positioned to meet the demand for general cargo, especially critical goods like medical supplies, automotive parts, and hazardous materials.
Equipped with Menzies’ innovative Cargo Handling (MACH) system, the facility aims to streamline operations and improve end-to-end cargo management, enhancing the company’s service delivery across Africa. Furthermore, Menzies has partnered with Champ Cargosystems, integrating Traxon Global Customs (TGC) into MACH to manage customs filing and reduce clearance delays. This setup allows seamless data exchanges with customs authorities globally, simplifying regulatory reporting and enhancing adaptability to specific customs requirements across different countries.
Goals
Menzies’ long-term ambition is to establish a presence in all 54 African countries, a challenging yet promising goal. With a strategic focus on improving cargo connectivity and transportation logistics, Menzies assesses each country’s unique opportunities and operational hurdles. AlSuwaidi emphasizes the importance of efficient, secure, and compliant cargo handling and highlights the need for streamlined customs processes across the continent, advocating for high-level government support to ease these regulatory bottlenecks.
Mozambique itself is experiencing substantial economic growth. Private investment, such as TotalEnergies’ $14 billion LNG project, and an economic policy supportive of foreign investments are helping drive GDP forecasts upward. Analysts project Mozambique’s growth at 6% in 2024, with annual growth potentially reaching 9.8% by 2028, making the country a promising market for Menzies’ cargo expansion.