Significant Investment in Logistics Infrastructure
La Voie Express Group, the logistics division of Moroccan entrepreneur Moncef Belkhayat's H&S Group, is set to make a substantial investment of 100 million dirhams, equivalent to approximately $10.7 million, into a state-of-the-art logistics platform located in Lqliaa, which lies to the south of the coastal city of Agadir. This strategic decision was announced on Friday, following the signing of an agreement with the Moroccan Logistics Development Agency to acquire a 25,000-square-meter site within the Lqliaa Logistics Zone. This new facility will mark the group's second operational site in the Agadir region, underscoring its commitment to enhancing logistics capabilities in Morocco.
The upcoming logistics hub will integrate various services, including warehousing, order preparation, transportation, and regional distribution, catering to the needs of manufacturers, distributors, and retailers alike. Moreover, it is anticipated that this investment will generate approximately 100 direct and indirect job opportunities, which will contribute positively to the local economy. In a statement, the group expressed pride in this investment, highlighting the strategic importance of Agadir and the Souss-Massa region within the national economy, and emphasizing their goal of establishing a modern platform that serves both businesses and the wider community.
Expanding the National Logistics Network
This new site in Agadir is a crucial component of a broader initiative aimed at establishing logistics hubs in closer proximity to production and consumption areas throughout Morocco. La Voie Express already operates established facilities in several key cities, including Oujda, Nador, Tangier, and Khouribga, in addition to its Casa Hub and Lakhyayta Hub located near Casablanca. The Souss-Massa region, known for its rich agricultural, fishing, and distribution activities, is set to benefit significantly from this development. The first phase of the Lqliaa zone encompasses 45 hectares, featuring designated areas for warehouses and a truck terminal capable of accommodating up to 200 vehicles. Ultimately, the logistics zone is projected to handle an impressive volume of up to 2 million tons of goods annually.
The rapid growth of the logistics sector has been largely driven by strategic acquisitions. Belkhayat's holding company initially laid the groundwork for this expansion through the acquisition of Logiprod and Transload, followed by the acquisition of La Voie Express in October 2025, along with property firm Espacim and La Voie Express Messagerie. This strategic maneuvering was heralded as the formation of Morocco's first integrated logistics operator, marking a significant milestone for the industry.
Belkhayat, who previously served as a government minister, founded H&S Group in 2005 with an initial capital of 1.5 million dirhams. Over the past 21 years, he has transformed the organization into a diverse conglomerate with consolidated revenues reaching 6.5 billion dirhams, with aspirations to achieve 10 billion dirhams in the current year. The group now encompasses over 60 companies and employs more than 5,500 individuals. In January, H&S Invest Holding rebranded as H&S Group, undergoing a comprehensive reorganization into six distinct divisions. These include Dislog Group, specializing in consumer goods and health products; La Voie Express Group in logistics; WB Group in media and communications; Gidna and Kaya Immobilier in construction and real estate; Chari in e-commerce and fintech; and One Retail, which holds the master franchise for the Monoprix and Franprix supermarket brands in Morocco.
Belkhayat has strategically integrated private equity into his business model, with both the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Finance Corporation acquiring stakes in Dislog and La Voie Express. He has articulated a philosophy that emphasizes collaboration: "It is better to own part of a large group than to remain alone at the head of a company that stalls," he remarked in a recent interview.
Looking ahead, the group has ambitious plans for the stock market. Following the rebranding in January, H&S Group announced intentions to prepare for six initial public offerings (IPOs) from 2026 to 2030, targeting each of its business platforms. Belkhayat has identified five potential candidates for these IPOs, which include Dislog Group, Dislog Medical Devices, La Voie Express, One Retail, and Gidna, with H&S Group itself also considering a public listing. He has indicated that La Voie Express is aiming for a listing in 2030, which would position it as the first logistics company to be publicly traded on the Casablanca Stock Exchange. However, it is worth noting that the timeline for these IPOs has already encountered delays, with the inaugural IPO for Dislog Group initially slated for 2024 now pushed to 2025, and still pending. Each new investment, such as the logistics platform in Agadir, serves to enhance the scale and viability of the businesses that Belkhayat intends to take public.
As reported by billionaires.africa.
