Bisedge Secures US$20M from Metier to Expand Electric Forklift Leasing Across Africa

Bisedge Co-Founders: Jasper Graf von Hardenberg (COO) and Christian Wessels (CEO)

Africa's intralogistics sector is undergoing a gradual shift toward electrification as businesses seek lower operating costs and reduced emissions. Against this backdrop, Bisedge Logistics & Infrastructure has raised US$20 million from Metier Private Equity to expand its electric forklift leasing operations across key African markets.

The investment highlights growing investor confidence in sustainable industrial infrastructure and equipment-as-a-service models that lower adoption barriers for businesses.

Why Did Metier Invest US$20 Million in Bisedge?

Bisedge has built a forklift leasing platform that enables logistics operators to transition from diesel-powered fleets to electric alternatives without significant upfront capital expenditure.

The company currently operates across:

• Nigeria
• South Africa
• Kenya
• Tanzania

Its leasing model addresses one of the largest challenges facing fleet electrification in emerging markets: high acquisition costs.

By replacing upfront purchases with recurring leasing agreements, Bisedge enables warehouses, manufacturers, distributors, and logistics operators to modernize equipment while preserving working capital.

According to the company, the model also improves operational efficiency through performance-driven fleet management and maintenance support.

How Does Bisedge's Electric Forklift Leasing Model Work?

Traditional Forklift Ownership	Bisedge Leasing Model
High upfront capital expenditure	No large upfront investment
Customer responsible for maintenance	Managed service support
Diesel-powered fleets common	Electric fleet alternatives
Higher fuel and maintenance costs	Potentially lower operating costs
Slower fleet upgrades	Faster technology adoption

The model aligns with broader industrial electrification trends emerging across African logistics and manufacturing sectors.

What Does This Investment Mean for Africa's Intralogistics Market?

The funding positions Bisedge to capitalize on several long-term trends shaping African supply chains:

• Growth of manufacturing and industrial parks across Africa
• Increased warehouse automation and modernization
• Rising sustainability requirements from multinational corporations
• Demand for lower-cost fleet operations
• Expansion of regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

The investment also reflects increasing private equity interest in operational infrastructure businesses that provide recurring revenue and measurable efficiency gains.

Metier Private Equity has historically focused on growth-stage businesses with scalable business models across Africa, making Bisedge a strategic addition to its portfolio.

What Did Bisedge and Metier Say About the Partnership?

Christian Wessels, Co-Founder and CEO of Bisedge, said:

"Our goal is to drive sustainability beyond equipment supply—through performance-driven solutions that improve our customers' operational efficiency every day. This partnership with Metier allows us to scale faster and reach further across Africa's intralogistics sector."

Grant Howarth, Director and Principal at Metier, added:

"Bisedge stands out as a category leader in African intralogistics, with a proven model, disciplined execution and a clear runway for growth. We are excited to partner with Christian, Jasper and the team to scale the business across the continent."

How Does This Compare to Global Logistics Electrification Trends?

Globally, investors are increasingly backing equipment-as-a-service and fleet electrification platforms as companies seek to reduce emissions and operating costs.

While major logistics innovation hubs such as ADGM, Hub71, and NEOM are driving broader sustainability and infrastructure initiatives across the Middle East, Africa's logistics sector presents a distinct opportunity due to lower electrification penetration and growing industrial demand.

Bisedge's expansion strategy positions the company within a market segment that remains relatively underpenetrated but increasingly attractive to private equity investors seeking exposure to sustainable industrial infrastructure.

What Comes Next for Bisedge?

The US$20 million investment is expected to support:

• Geographic expansion across additional African markets
• Growth of Bisedge's electric equipment fleet
• Enhanced operational and maintenance capabilities
• Increased penetration within warehousing and logistics sectors
• Broader adoption of sustainable intralogistics solutions

As African supply chains continue to modernize, equipment leasing models that reduce capital barriers could play a significant role in accelerating industrial electrification across the continent.

 

 

FAQ

1. What is Bisedge Logistics & Infrastructure?
Bisedge is an African intralogistics company that provides electric forklift leasing solutions, enabling businesses to adopt electric fleets without large upfront capital investments.

2. How much funding did Bisedge raise?
Bisedge secured US$20 million in investment from Metier Private Equity to support expansion across sub-Saharan Africa.

3. Which countries does Bisedge currently operate in?
The company currently operates in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania.

4. Why are electric forklifts gaining traction in Africa?
Electric forklifts can reduce fuel costs, lower maintenance requirements, and help companies meet sustainability objectives while improving warehouse efficiency.

5. What will Bisedge use the investment for?
The company plans to expand its fleet, enter new markets, strengthen service capabilities, and accelerate the adoption of electric intralogistics solutions across Africa.