NEWS Local strength meets global reach in Saudi Arabia

DHL eCommerce joins forces with Saudi logistics leader AJEX, combining global scale and local expertise to meet the growing needs of the Middle East’s booming e-commerce market – part of our strategy to invest in key growth markets.

DHL eCommerce has acquired a minority stake in AJEX, a leading regional supply chain and transportation company, marking a major milestone in our Group’s expansion into one of the world’s fastest-growing parcel markets. We’re combining AJEX’s regional strength with DHL’s international network to meet surging e-commerce demand across Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East.

The move is part of DHL Group’s Strategy 2030, which includes investing €500 million in the Middle East to strengthen infrastructure, technology, and sustainability across all our business units in markets with high growth potential. Around the world, we have seen firsthand how local-global collaborations drive growth. Together with AJEX, we’ll be better positioned in the region to capitalize on the Kingdom’s double-digit e-commerce growth, a central pillar of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. 

Founded in 2021, AJEX is owned by Ajlan & Bros Holding Group. The company operates a network of over 60 facilities and 1,200 vehicles, powered by a team of 2,000 professionals. Now, combined with our global capabilities, this partnership will deliver faster, smarter, and more sustainable solutions for customers across the region and beyond.

What unites DHL and AJEX is a common commitment to customer-centricity, innovation, and teamwork. AJEX brings deep regional knowledge and a fast-growing network, while DHL contributes decades of global e-commerce expertise. To cement the partnership, DHL will hold a seat on the AJEX management board and has the option to expand its stake in the future. And from now on, AJEX will be branded as “AJEX, a partner of DHL eCommerce” – making the alliance very visible.

DHL has a long history in Saudi Arabia, with the first DHL Express courier setting foot in the country in 1976. Today, we operate across all business units – from DHL Express and eCommerce to Global Forwarding, Freight, and Supply Chain – with a team of over 1,700 logistics specialists. 

Saudi Arabia is a key player in our Strategy 2030 and one of the 20 countries worldwide we’ve identified as having significant GDP growth potential. Benefiting from its strategic location at the intersection of Europe, Asia, and Africa, the Kingdom is actively transitioning from an oil-dependent economy to a diversified industrial powerhouse under Vision 2030. Furthermore, rapid growth in sectors such as e-commerce, healthcare logistics, and renewable energy aligns closely with our strategic focus. Our partnership with AJEX and broader Middle East investments are designed to capture these Geographic Tailwinds and drive long-term growth in the region.

With DHL eCommerce and AJEX joining forces, customers across Saudi Arabia and the Middle East can look forward to parcel services that are faster, smarter, and more sustainable. The partnership is yet another example of how, when it makes good business sense, we combine regional strength with global reach to create lasting value for our customers – and represents one of the many opportunities emerging worldwide from today’s geographic tailwinds.