The Liebherr crane division from Ehingen has delivered a new mobile crane to Ghana. The order is part of a broader strategy by the German manufacturer to systematically develop the African continent as a sales market. In addition to Ghana, Liebherr cranes from Ehingen are already in use in several other African countries, including South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya.
The expansion to Africa is taking place against the backdrop of increasing demand for crane capacity for infrastructure projects. In Ghana itself, several major construction sites are currently being realized, including port facilities, bridge projects, and high-rise buildings in the capital Accra. Liebherr relies on local sales partners who, in addition to sales, are also to ensure service and spare parts supply. The load capacity of the delivered cranes ranges from medium-sized city cranes to heavy large mobile cranes with over 100 tons of lifting capacity.
In South Africa, Liebherr has maintained an established presence with its own service network for many years. From there, neighboring countries such as Namibia, Botswana, and Mozambique are also served. In Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, deployment focuses primarily on oil and gas projects as well as the expansion of urban infrastructure. Kenya serves as a hub for East Africa, where Liebherr cranes are used, among other things, in railway projects and port expansions.
The challenges for crane sales in Africa are diverse: in addition to climatic conditions such as extreme heat and dust, logistical hurdles play a central role. Spare parts often have to be transported over long distances, and service intervals are shorter than in Europe due to operating conditions. Liebherr responds to this with regional spare parts warehouses and specially trained technicians on site.
The African crane market is increasingly being served by Chinese manufacturers such as XCMG and SANY. These often offer cheaper entry prices, while European manufacturers focus on durability and service quality. For Liebherr, market development in Africa is a long-term endeavor – comparable to the strategy the company has already pursued in Asia and South America.
In addition to the crane division, Liebherr's earthmoving division is also active in Africa. Wheel loaders and hydraulic excavators are used primarily in mining and major infrastructure projects. The connection between crane operations and earthmoving enables consolidated service structures, which makes market development more efficient.
