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.
