A major transport conference took place in Johannesburg, South Africa brought together over 100 experts from 10 African countries and was organized by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport chapters in Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. The theme of the conference was “Unlocking Sub-Sahara Africa’s Potential: Transforming Transport and Logistics for a Sustainable Future.”

The focus of the conference was on solving the challenges in Africa’s transport and logistics systems. Teete Owusu, President of the institute, highlighted that only 13% of trade happens between African countries, compared to over 60% in Europe. He explained that poor transport systems are holding back Africa’s economic growth and that better systems could unlock more opportunities for trade and development.

Lwazi Mboyi, head of the Cross-border Road Transport Agency, said the goal is to build a well-connected transport network across Sub-Saharan Africa. This would make trade between countries easier and help the region grow faster. Thabang Mamaru, from South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition, explained the importance of building better infrastructure, improving safety, training workers, and using modern technology to transform the sector.

Warwick Lod, a representative of the Multimodal Inland Port Association, said that improving key trade routes, called “logistics corridors,” is urgent. He suggested investing in better roads, railways, and ports, simplifying trade processes, and using digital platforms to share information. Lod also stressed that making the system work smoothly for businesses and customers is just as important.

The role of technology was a big part of the discussions. Godwin Punungwe, a senior consultant for the institute, said that integrating digital systems across countries would help customs and other agencies work together. This could reduce delays, cut down corruption, and make the transport of goods faster and easier. He also said digital tools could help identify and remove barriers that slow down trade.

Speakers at the conference agreed that solving these issues will require teamwork between countries and investment in better transport systems. They also emphasized the need for safety, modern technology, and skilled workers to make the sector more efficient.

Dr. Tapiwa Mujakachi, President of the institute’s Zimbabwean chapter, closed the event by calling it an important step forward. He said the conference showed that countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are ready to work together to transform transport and logistics for a better future.

With better roads, ports, technology, and cooperation, Sub-Saharan Africa can improve its transport systems. This will open up new trade opportunities, boost economies, and create a more sustainable future for the region.

Join us in Johannesburg for the 12th annual Transport Evolution Africa Forum & Expo from 4-6 March 2025 to be part of Africa’s journey towards an integrated, sustainable transport infrastructure. This event will not only drive economic growth but also support the realisation of Agenda 2063 and the vision of #TheAfricaWeWant.

Africa’s transport and logistics sectors are critical to economic growth and regional integration, yet significant challenges hinder their full potential. The Transport Evolution Africa Forum & Expo, under the theme “Supercharging Regional Connectivity: Driving Intermodal Transport and Logistics Growth in Africa,” will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to address these challenges, explore solutions, and develop strategies to strengthen connectivity and advance intermodal transport systems across the continent.

Tackling Africa’s Transport Challenges

One of the major challenges in the sector is the funding gap for infrastructure projects. For Africa’s transport networks to be more affordable, resilient, and sustainable, there is a pressing need for increased public and private sector investment. Mobilising private sector financing through innovative mechanisms will be essential to bridging the infrastructure deficit. The Transport Evolution Africa Forum & Expo will explore how partnerships between governments and private investors can accelerate these vital projects.

However, financial investment alone is not enough. Addressing the gaps in human capital and technology is equally important. Investment in skills development and training is crucial for the efficient operation of transport systems. Furthermore, adopting digital solutions such as artificial intelligence and real-time logistics tracking can greatly enhance supply chain efficiency and improve overall connectivity.

Another priority for the Transport Evolution Africa Forum & Expo will be the development of climate-resilient transport infrastructure. Africa faces unique climate challenges, and building transport systems that are both robust and environmentally sustainable is critical for the continent’s future. By focusing on green transport solutions and integrating them into infrastructure planning, Africa can create systems that are sustainable in the long term.

The development of aviation hubs and improving air connectivity will also be key topics. Air connectivity is crucial for trade, tourism, and business, yet Africa’s current air infrastructure is constrained by several challenges, including limited capacity, taxation issues and a lack of cooperation between airlines. Addressing these issues can significantly improve the continent’s overall connectivity index.

Modernising Africa’s ports and streamlining logistics systems are essential to meet the growing demands of trade. The Transport Evolution Africa Forum & Expo will explore the role of digital technologies in enhancing port efficiency and how strategic corridors can enable smoother trade flows. Additionally, the integration of single border checkpoints and harmonised regional regulations will be discussed as ways to reduce transit times and logistics costs.

Robust partnerships and strong policy frameworks are essential to drive these initiatives forward. Regional agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) provide a powerful opportunity to strengthen regional integration through strategic infrastructure investments. Governments and industry stakeholders must also prioritise human capital development, support the single African air transport market, and invest in climate-resilient infrastructure to meet future demands.

A key theme of the forum will be the importance of adopting a multimodal approach to transport connectivity. Moving beyond a singular focus on either roads, railways, ports, or aviation, the event will highlight how integrating various modes of transport can maximise efficiency and extend the reach of Africa’s logistics networks. The goal is to move away from the traditional rail export model to create a more dynamic transport and logistics ecosystem that connects African countries and regions.

Be Part of Africa’s Transport Evolution

By exploring these critical themes, the 12th annual Transport Evolution Africa Forum & Expo aims to shape the strategies that will drive Africa’s transport and logistics future. This event offers a unique platform for collaboration, allowing participants to engage in high-level discussions on improving regional connectivity.

Industry professionals are invited to secure their participation and contribute to shaping Africa’s transport future.

For more information and to confirm your participation, visit www.transportevolution.com.

Contact:

Programme Enquiries: Vineshia Petersen, Conference Producer – VineshiaPetersen@dmgevents.com | +27 21 700 5500
Exhibition & Sponsorship: sales@transportevolution.com
Marketing Enquiries: marketing@transportevolution.com

Transnet is currently under significant scrutiny due to the recent Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) which ranked South Africa’s ports among the lowest of 405 evaluated worldwide. The challenges faced by the country’s ports have been further exacerbated by inclement weather conditions, impacting their operational efficiency. The latest Cargo Movement Update (CMU), prepared by Business Unity South Africa and the South African Association of Freight Forwarders, highlighted a significant week-on-week decline in container handling capacity, dropping from 8,244 to 5,737 containers daily. This 30.3% decrease in throughput capacity is attributed primarily to extreme weather conditions and equipment breakdowns, which have severely disrupted port operations.

The Port of Durban, one of the major ports in South Africa, experienced closures to incoming traffic due to adverse weather conditions. Additionally, the Eastern Cape ports faced operational challenges due to strong winds and vessel ranging, further impacting the overall efficiency of port operations. These disruptions come at a time when the global sea freight industry is grappling with intensified capacity shortages. The container shipping market has been particularly affected, with notable issues such as Maersk ceasing operations of a trans-Pacific service just eight weeks after its commencement, and nearly 50% of westbound Asia-Europe sailings failing to meet their scheduled departure times due to ongoing port congestion in Southeast Asian hubs.

Amid these capacity challenges, global freight rates have continued to rise for the ninth consecutive week, with a 13% increase recorded last week. Since the end of March, the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index has seen a 76% increase, with no signs of decline in the near future. The containership charter market also remains strong, with rates increasing by 10% last week, further compounding the challenges faced by the global supply chain sector.

In response to these manifold challenges, public sector ocean freight executives in South Africa and beyond have criticized the World Bank’s latest CPPI. Locally, a logistics principal who requested anonymity suggested that the CPPI does not provide a fair comparison, as it lumps together ports with vastly different sizes and service-related dynamics. This critique raises questions about the validity and accuracy of the World Bank’s data metrics, especially given the institution’s disclaimer that it cannot guarantee the accuracy of its research.

The criticism highlights a broader issue within the global port performance assessment framework. The varying conditions and operational contexts of different ports make it difficult to create a standardized measure that accurately reflects the performance and efficiency of each port. This disparity is evident in the case of South African ports, which are facing unique challenges that are not necessarily comparable to those faced by ports in other regions.

The current situation underscores the need for more nuanced and context-specific evaluations of port performance. While the CPPI provides a useful benchmark, it should be complemented with other assessments that take into account the specific conditions and challenges faced by individual ports. This approach would provide a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of port performance, helping to identify areas for improvement and inform targeted interventions.

The current CPPI ranking has highlighted the serious difficulties that South African ports confront, which are made worse by bad weather and equipment failures. Complicating matters further are the wider problems plaguing the global maritime freight business, such as declining capacity and growing freight rates? The necessity for more complex evaluations that take into account the distinctive circumstances of various ports is brought up by criticisms of the CPPI’s methodology. To guarantee effective and reliable port operations, addressing these issues would call for a coordinated effort from all supply chain sector players.

DP World is pleased to announce that its Market Access Consumer business, Deep Catch Group, has opened a world-class cold storage facility, Lusaka Commercial Cold Store (LCCS), in Lusaka, Zambia. The LCCS is a groundbreaking project that is set to revolutionise the cold storage industry in Zambia and provide cold storage solutions to local clients, principals and customers.

The facility is the first of its kind in the country and will offer state-of-the-art cold storage facilities to meet the needs of local meat, poultry, and fish producers, as well as the thriving hospitality and retail sectors.

Deep Catch, a diversified and vertically integrated business engaged in the wholesale, distribution, and cold storage of perishable foods, has a proven track record of providing strategic cold storage solutions in South Africa and Namibia, and is now extending this solution to Zambia.

Mohammed Akoojee, CEO & MD: sub-Saharan Africa at DP World, said: “This is a significant milestone for DP World in Southern Africa. The LCCS is set to transform the cold storage environment in Zambia by enhancing the availability and quality of locally produced and imported perishable products. Given its strategic location, advanced infrastructure and commitment to excellence, the LCCS will undoubtedly play a vital role in driving economic growth and the seamless flow of goods in Zambia.”

The LCCS is built to accommodate Zambia’s unique climate and boasts various dedicated areas, including a bulk freezer section, a chiller store, a dry goods storage area, and a processing zone for food handling. The facility will also incorporate a receiving and dispatch area, complete with efficient mobile and static pallet handling systems. Once fully operational, the LCCS will have the capacity to accommodate up to 5,500 pallets distributed across the freezer, chiller and dry storage sections. This expansive capacity ensures that businesses relying on cold storage solutions can effectively manage their inventory and meet the demands of their respective industries and customers.

Bruce Denyer, Head of Market Access Consumer: sub-Saharan Africa at DP World, said: “The development of the LCCS is in line with Deep Catch’s expansion strategy to establish a strong cold chain footprint in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region. The LCCS will play a pivotal role in facilitating the efficient importation of affordable protein products, while simultaneously supporting local food producers in reaching their markets. This world-class facility will adhere to the highest industry standards and provide exceptional logistics support to our customers.”

By providing integrated end-to-end logistics, and leveraging our global footprint and unrivalled infrastructure, DP World is reimagining the global supply chain. We are building better ways to bring goods to more people, by making the flow of trade smarter, faster, and more sustainable, ensuring we can all thrive in ways we never thought possible. By improving the efficiency of moving local goods across the globe, DP World is actively contributing to regional economic growth and changing what’s possible for Africa and her people.