Globalised supply chains have enabled goods and services to be transported across the world to meet the ever-increasing demands of populations. Ports are gateways for 80% of global merchandise trade by volume and 70% by value. As an emerging market region endowed with vast natural resources and a young and growing population, Sub Saharan Africa must accelerate its market access and trade both across the region and with the rest of the world.
The transportation and logistics industry is the backbone of an economy. Freight logistics is regarded economically as a derived demand resulting from demand for other products and commodities; making industry and country competitiveness.
In developing countries, and specifically in Africa, logistics costs remain high as a percentage of total production costs and limit economic growth opportunities. High transport costs add 75% to the price of African goods. Most African countries either have inadequately-developed ports, too few ports and/or no port facilities in key areas.