African contractors, mining companies and logistics operators often struggle to source reliable cranes due to misleading equipment listings, incorrect documentation, limited technical support and lack of trusted suppliers. To address these issues, Dubai-based MYCRANE Trading is positioning itself as a key industry partner and introducing transparent, quality-assured and technically supported crane solutions to the continent’s growing crane market.
Founded in 2021, MYCRANE launched as the world’s first online crane rental platform, connecting crane owners and end-users through a digital marketplace. Building on the success of the rental platform, the company established MYCRANE Trading in 2025 as a dedicated crane trading business focused on used crane sales, spare parts, engineering support and technical services.
In an exclusive interview with First Mining DRC – ZAMBIA during the South Africa Infrastructure Expo event in Johannesburg, Sudheesh Mohan, Head of Sales & Marketing at the company, outlined the firm’s ambitious plans to expand across Africa and address longstanding challenges facing the region’s crane industry.
“We are coming full swing into Africa,” Sudheesh said. “We already have customers in the continent, see great potential here and the rental platform is also coming soon.”
Unlike many equipment traders that deal in a broad range of machinery, MYCRANE Trading focuses exclusively on cranes. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio that includes crane sales, spare parts supply, service support, engineering assistance, and project-related crane solutions.
Challenges facing Africa’s crane market.
According to Sudheesh Mohan, one of the biggest challenges facing Africa’s crane market is a lack of transparency in procurement and efficiency, particularly when it comes to equipment quality and documentation.
To address this issue, MYCRANE Trading has developed a rigorous inspection and verification process. The company inspects and certifies cranes before they are offered for sale, ensuring that equipment specifications match manufacturer records and documentation.
“We have 100% inspected and certified cranes by us,” Sudheesh said. “We make sure with the manufacturers that the crane is correct according to the documents, and then we bring it to Dubai.” Dubai serves as the company’s global logistics hub, enabling customers to inspect verified equipment without travelling to multiple countries in search of suitable cranes.
“Dubai being the logistics hub for the world is the right place to be,” he noted. “African customers do not have to travel across the globe to get the right crane.”
The company’s operations are based in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, which offers efficient import and export capabilities while supporting international trade activities.
Misleading online listings
Sudheesh said buyers have become increasingly cautious after years of encountering misleading online listings and equipment that failed to match advertised specifications.
“People are tired of buying cranes by seeing pictures. They can get cheated,” he said. “Here, you are dealing with a trusted partner where there is a physical presence in Dubai.”
To strengthen confidence among international customers, MYCRANE Trading has also built relationships with business institutions in the United Arab Emirates.
“We are a Dubai Chamber of Commerce member and have participated in Chamber activities. Customers can contact Dubai Chamber offices to confirm our legitimacy as a UAE-based business.”
The company’s expansion strategy is closely linked to Africa’s growing investment in infrastructure. While attending the South Africa Infrastructure Expo event in Johannesburg, MYCRANE Trading focused particularly on stakeholders involved in large-scale infrastructure projects.
He added that the company has also attracted interest from logistics firms seeking to diversify into lifting operations alongside transportation services.
Long-term customer support
Beyond equipment sales, MYCRANE Trading seeks to distinguish itself by offering long-term customer support, addressing a gap in the market where many crane traders provide little or no assistance after a sale, leaving customers to handle maintenance and operational challenges independently.
“After the crane is sold, most traders say it is your problem,” he said. “But we provide parts support and service support.”
The company’s technical team brings decades of industry experience from crane manufacturing, operations and sales, an expertise that enables MYCRANE Trading to support customers throughout the equipment lifecycle.
“We are not traders who do not know the product,” he said. “We know the product and we are there to support customers throughout.”
Looking ahead
Looking ahead, MYCRANE sees digital transformation playing a major role in the future of the crane industry. Sudheesh compared the company’s rental platform to disruptive technologies such as ride-hailing and e-commerce platforms that have reshaped traditional industries.
“Ten years ago, many of today’s apps was did not exist. Today, you cannot imagine life without it,” he said. “The crane industry will transform in the same way. We are bringing transparency and connecting crane owners globally.”
Having already expanded from Dubai into India and Saudi Arabia, the company is now targeting broader growth across Africa, Europe and the United States.
As Africa’s demand for lifting equipment continues to grow, MYCRANE Trading is positioning itself as a trusted partner for contractors, mining companies, logistics operators and infrastructure developers. Through its global sourcing network, certified crane inspection process and comprehensive after-sales support, the company offers customers a reliable alternative to traditional crane trading.
Companies looking to buy used mobile cranes, tower cranes, crawler cranes or cranes spare parts are encouraged to contact MYCRANE Trading for free consultation and access to available inventory.
