AfCFTA in transportation industry

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a significant initiative aimed at creating a single continental market for goods and services in Africa. The implementation of AfCFTA in transportation initiative presents several challenges for transportation companies operating in the region. Some of these challenges include:

• Infrastructure: The state of infrastructure in Africa is a major challenge for logistics companies. Poor road networks, inadequate ports and airports, and a lack of interconnectivity between transport modes make it difficult to move goods efficiently across the continent.

• Customs and trade regulations: Despite the efforts to harmonize customs and trade regulations under AfCFTA, there are still significant differences in regulations and procedures among African countries. This creates barriers to trade and makes it challenging for logistics companies to navigate the complex regulatory landscape.

• Border delays: Delays at border crossings are a common problem for logistics companies in Africa. Long wait times at border crossings due to inefficient procedures, insufficient staffing, and corruption can significantly increase transportation costs and impact delivery times.

• Security concerns: Many parts of East Africa experience security challenges that pose a risk to transport logistics operations. These challenges include theft, piracy, and civil unrest, which can disrupt supply chains and lead to loss of goods.

• Lack of skilled labor: There is a shortage of skilled logistics professionals in Africa, particularly in the areas of supply chain management and transport planning. This shortage makes it difficult for logistics companies to recruit and retain qualified personnel. Training and certification in logistics can help.

• Technology: The adoption of technology is critical for improving logistics operations in Africa. However, many logistics companies in Africa still rely on manual processes and outdated systems, which can lead to inefficiencies and delays. The warehouse monitoring system, for example, can help improve loading and dispatch.

• Financing: Financing is a significant challenge for logistics companies in Africa, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. Access to capital is limited, and the high cost of borrowing can make it difficult for logistics companies to expand their operations or introduce modern technologies

Implementation of technology – AfCFTA in transportation

Moving forward, AfCFTA transportation logistics companies need to look at solving problems in cargo theft, cross-border documentation, and driver efficiency by deploying cloud-based transportation management solutions which are offered on SaaS models (Software As A Service)