Aramex

Sector: Logistics

Country: UAE

Established in 1982, Aramex became the first Arab-based company to be listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange. It rapidly grew into a global brand, recognized for its customised services and innovative products, and now operates in 58 countries worldwide. In 2006, it was the first company in the region to release an annual sustainability report.

Aramex is the market leader in integrated logistics and transportation solutions across the GCC and the broader Middle East and Africa. These markets benefit from structural growth trends. With global operations, Aramex facilitates trade between core markets in the Middle East, Africa, Oceania, and key export hubs in the US, Europe, and Asia.

Aramex has unmatched infrastructure and geographic coverage in its core markets. As a leading integrated player, it provides end-to-end transportation solutions across express delivery, contract logistics, and freight forwarding. Growth in the GCC is forecast to reach 4.7 per cent in 2025, with a similar outlook for the wider region according to the World Bank.

Listed on the Dubai Financial Market since 2005 and headquartered in the UAE, Aramex operates in over 600 cities across 70 countries, Aramex employs more than 16,000 professionals. The company’s success is driven by four core business products that deliver scalable, diversified, and comprehensive services: International express (including its parcel forwarding businesses like Shop & Ship and MyUS), domestic express, freight forwarding, and logistics and supply chain solutions.

In 2024, Aramex managed over 3.4 billion inbound and outbound transactions through a global warehousing footprint exceeding 800,000 square metres, delivering seamless supply chain solutions to customers worldwide.

The company is also addressing environmental concerns, with a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Aramex closed the year with Dh142m in net profit, reflecting a 10 per cent increase over 2023. It maintains a strong financial position, with a cash balance of Dhs513m and a debt to EBITDA ratio of 2.9X (including IFRS16) as of December 31, 2024. In March 2024, Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund ADQ announced it had acquired a 58 per cent stake in Aramex after completing a tender offer.

ADQ became the majority shareholder through a 35.31 per cent stake obtained via its unit Q Logistics, adding to the 22.69 per cent stake previously held through Abu Dhabi Ports Group. The proportion of UAE Nationals employed by the company increased from 0.64 per cent on December 31, 2022 to 0.86 per cent in 2023, and reached 1.14 per cent as of December 31, 2024. On May 14, 2024, Aramex appointed Arqaam Securities, a leading regional financial institution, as liquidity provider for its shares listed on the DFM.

Aramex was named Carrier of the Year 2023 by Amazon and received the Tech Innovation in Logistics and Supply Chain Award at the Logistics and Transport Awards 2024. CEO Othman Aljeda was recognised as the Transport and Logistics Business Leader of the Year at the Gulf Business Awards 2024.

The company also earned the Sprinklr CX Team Award and was acknowledged at the Westford Awards with the Supply Chain and Logistics accolade in the Business Excellence Awards. Aramex received a Certificate of Appreciation from Silkway Airlines for the 2023 Energy Sector Specialist Award and was honoured with a Middle East Investor Relations Association (MEIRA) Award.

Aramex received the SaudiCXA Silver Award for Best Customer Experience in the Logistics Field in Saudi Arabia and was recognised at the National Logistics Awards 2024 in Sri Lanka. Aramex Oman earned the SLB Oman Sustainability Award, and the company was also certified as a Great Place to Work in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.