Transport and logistics group Unifreight Africa Limited (Unifreight) reported a ZWG211 revenue for the first quarter of 2026, 79 percent ahead of budget.
“Operational profit before tax came in at ZWG 3.8 million compared with a budgeted loss of ZWG 11.4 million,” the group said in its latest trading update.
Gross profit was ZWG 53.8 million, 108 percent above budget, while EBITDA stood at ZWG 17.3 million against a budget of ZWG 2.5 million.
“These results represent a very encouraging start to the year and show that the group’s growth strategy is continuing to convert scale into earnings,” Unifreight said.
The group moved 63,173 tonnes during the quarter, which was 22 percent ahead of budget, and covered 2.26 million kilometres, one percent above budget.
This, the company said, was despite operating an average of 266 trucks against a budgeted fleet of 290.
“The group delivered ahead of budget with eight percent fewer trucks than planned points due to better fleet utilization, stronger route discipline, and effective use of available capacity.”
Unifreight, however, said the cost environment remained demanding.
Fuel litres consumed were broadly in line with budget at 878,134 litres, but the average fuel price of ZWG 39.35 was 64 percent above budget, pushing total fuel cost to ZWG 34.6 million.
“Repairs and maintenance were 110 percent above budget, subcontractor costs were 97 percent above budget, and total support service costs were 56 percent above budget,” the group said.
It added: “Even with these headwinds, revenue growth outpaced cost growth, allowing the Group to deliver a gross margin of 25% versus a budget of 22 percent and an EBITDA margin of eight percentversus a budget of two percent.”
Going forward, Unifreight said while fuel, maintenance and the cost of funding remain active areas of focus, “management expects the combination of stronger fleet productivity, improved route economics, and a more diversified business mix to support further earnings growth in the coming quarters”.