TRANSPORT and logistics giant Unifreight Africa Limited plans to inject over US$6,5 million into expanding its fleet in 2026 as it gears up to meet heightened demand during the upcoming tobacco marketing season.
The company said the investment forms part of its broader strategy to strengthen capacity and efficiency, particularly as Zimbabwe’s tobacco output continues to rise.
Following a record-breaking crop of 355 million kilogrammes this year, generating US$1,17 billion in revenue, according to Treasury data, next year’s harvest is projected to maintain or surpass this performance, further boosting demand for transport and logistics services.
To prepare for this, Unifreight chief executive officer Richard Clarke told businessdigest that the company would ramp up its tobacco fleet by 40%, ensuring it meets the growing logistical requirements from farmers and merchants.
“We are going to spend over US$6,5 million on increasing the fleet next year,” he said.
“We will increase our tobacco fleet by 40% in line with the demand and requirements from farmers for a secure and reliable transport solution.”
Clarke added that the company was acquiring specialised equipment tailored for tobacco handling and transportation.
The fleet expansion programme, which runs until the end of the first quarter of 2026, will also support Unifreight’s broader ambitions to expand cross-border operations, scale up its fourth-party logistics business and deepen its regional footprint.
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Unifreight’s cross-border operations have grown strongly in the first half of the year, supported by increased asset deployment across the region, a move consistent with its strategy to tap into new trade flows along the Beira Corridor.
“We are aggressively targeting Beira to Lusaka as a route and want to place 200 assets on the route by the third quarter of 2026,” Clarke said.
In its financial results for the half-year ended June 30, 2025, Unifreight reported revenue of ZiG545,5 million (US$20,24 million), marking a solid improvement from the previous year.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose to ZiG100,9 million (US$3,74 million), while profit after tax surged 124% to ZiG202,35 million (US$7,51 million).
Despite persistent inflationary pressures and liquidity challenges in the economy, the company said it maintained cost discipline while continuing to grow both revenue and profitability.
“Our cross-border fleet expansion has continued strongly, and we now operate a larger number of assets across the region,” the group said in the financial report.
“This is in line with our strategy to capture new trade flows on the Beira Corridor and ensure Unifreight remains a leading player in regional logistics.”
With expanding regional operations, a growing asset base, and sustained profitability, Unifreight expressed confidence in its ability to seize emerging opportunities and maintain its growth trajectory.
