Logistics

Zambia's infrastructure vital for economic prosperity (Image source: Adobe Stock)

As regional trade intensifies and supply chains come under increasing pressure, Stanbic Bank says the next phase of Africa’s corridor development will be defined not by infrastructure investment alone, but by how efficiently those systems convert movement into economic value

Reflecting on the recent Land‑Linked Zambia 2026, under the theme, ‘Beyond Borders: Shaping the Future of Africa’s Transport Corridors for Shared Prosperity’, Stanbic noted a decisive shift in the corridor conversation, from long‑term infrastructure ambition to the immediate economics of execution.

“What has changed is not the recognition of corridors as critical assets, but the urgency around how they perform,” said head business & commercial bank, Chanda Mwila. “The question is no longer what needs to be built, but how effectively existing systems translate activity into growth.”

As Zambia consolidates its position as a land‑linked trade hub, rising mining output, increased fuel flows and expanding regional trade are driving sustained volumes through key routes. According to Mwila, this is exposing a more complex reality: inefficiency within corridors is no longer a logistical inconvenience, but a direct economic constraint.

“Every delay, every point of friction, has a cost,” Mwila said. “It affects how quickly capital turns, how reliably businesses can operate, and ultimately how competitive entire value chains become.”

Corridor performance is increasingly shaping investment decisions, with predictability and reliability emerging as critical factors alongside physical capacity.

“Investors are not only assessing infrastructure availability, but they are also assessing system performance,” Mwila noted. “The ability to move goods consistently, manage timelines and reduce uncertainty is now central to how markets are evaluated.”

From a financial sector perspective, Stanbic emphasised that enabling trade at scale requires closer alignment between logistics systems and financial flows. While infrastructure enables movement, it is the efficiency of transactions that determines whether value is realised.

“Trade does not stall only at borders; it stalls in systems. Payment delays, constrained access to working capital and currency complexity all slow the movement of goods as much as physical bottlenecks do,” added Mwila.

As trade volumes increase, these inefficiencies compound, tying up liquidity and limiting the ability of businesses to respond to demand across markets.

“The velocity of trade is directly linked to the velocity of capital. Improving corridor performance is therefore as much a financial priority as it is an operational one.”

Stanbic reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Zambia’s trade and logistics ecosystem through solutions designed to improve capital flow, enhance transaction efficiency and enable more predictable cross‑border operations.

The recent conference highlighted a powerful, co-ordinated push to transform Zambia from a landlocked nation into a strategic land-linked hub for the African continent.

Minister of Transport and Logistics, Frank Tayali delivered the keynote address, emphasising the urgent need for Africa to prioritise internal trade.

“Africa must trade more with itself before it trades with the rest of the world,” stated Tayali. “We cannot continue to export raw materials across oceans while importing finished goods at higher cost.”

The Minister outlined infrastructure advancements aimed at restoring Zambia’s strategic advantage, including the revitalisation of TAZARA, the recapitalisation of Zambia Railways, and the ambitious Kafue-Lion’s Den railway project with Zimbabwe. The implementation of one-stop border posts at Kazungula, Chirundu, Nakonde, and Mwami is also reducing delays and improving trade efficiency.

However, Tayali stressed that infrastructure alone is insufficient. The future lies in evolving these routes into comprehensive economic corridors by establishing logistics hubs, dry ports, agro-processing zones and industrial parks to ensure local communities benefit directly from trade.

Stanbic Bank reaffirmed its commitment to enabling regional commerce by providing essential working capital to keep fleets and supply chains moving, and by facilitating the cross-border payments that underpin the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Mwila added: “Prosperity beyond borders will not be achieved by infrastructure alone, or by any single institution. It will be achieved through co-ordinated action, informed decision-making, and a shared commitment to execution.”

The Land-Linked Zambia 2026 Conference concluded with a unified call to action for deeper regional partnerships, harmonised regulations, and joint investments. By choosing collaboration over competition, Zambia and its regional partners are laying the groundwork to reduce the cost of doing business and redefine Africa’s place in the global economy.

Read more:

DP World launches Brazil-Africa logistics corridor

Ceva, Lagos free zone launch Nigeria logistics venture

Hybrid green ferry launched on Gambia River 

Brazil Africa trade link launched

DP World has introduced a new integrated logistics corridor linking Brazil with Africa, aimed at improving trade connectivity between Latin America’s largest economy and rapidly expanding African markets

Named the Brazil-Africa Link, the new service was launched during Intermodal South America 2026 in São Paulo. It offers a fully integrated end-to-end logistics solution connecting export cargo from the Port of Santos to DP World’s operations in Angola and Mozambique, with additional support from its wider logistics network in South Africa.

Developed under a “one-stop shop” model, the corridor combines ocean freight services with inland logistics capabilities, allowing customers to manage their complete supply chain through one provider. The platform provides access to three port terminals, 52 warehouses and a fleet of more than 4,250 vehicles, helping improve efficiency, visibility and reliability across cargo movements.

The service is intended to support major Brazilian export industries such as animal proteins, agricultural commodities and consumer goods. It is designed to help exporters improve transit certainty, lower operational complexity and widen access to African markets.

Fabio Siccherino said, “This Brazil-Africa Link simplifies the journey for Brazilian exporters to a market with enormous growth potential. By integrating the entire logistics chain – from port of origin to final delivery – we reduce complexity, increase predictability, and enable our customers to unlock new business opportunities between Brazil and Africa.”

Mohammed Akoojee said: "The Brazil-Africa Link marks a transformative step in connecting Latin America's largest economy with high-growth markets across Africa. This integrated logistics corridor leverages our investments in port infrastructure, economic free zones, and digital technology across Angola, Mozambique, and South Africa to enable growth, create jobs, and deepen economic partnership between our continents."

Expanding integrated logistics in Brazil

DP World said it is continuing to strengthen its end-to-end logistics presence in Brazil through three strategic areas:

Ports and Terminals: The company operates one of Brazil’s leading multipurpose terminals at the Port of Santos, which serves as the foundation of its local operations and supports increasing container and bulk cargo volumes.

Freight Forwarding: DP World manages six freight forwarding offices across Brazil, providing multimodal transport services covering ocean, air and road freight, alongside warehousing, container freight station (CFS), insurance and customs clearance solutions.

Contract Logistics: The business is also expanding warehousing capacity through multi-client facilities in São Paulo and Espírito Santo, delivering integrated B2B services covering storage, distribution, reverse logistics and value-added solutions.

Strengthening Santos capacity

DP World is also investing further in capacity growth and operational capability at its Santos terminal, reinforcing its status as a strategic South American trade gateway. Following a record 2025, during which the terminal handled 1.3 million TEUs and 5 million tonnes of pulp, the company is advancing investments worth more than R$2 billion (approx. US$400 million).

These upgrades include quay expansion, new equipment, a new berthing pier and the development of a grains and fertilisers terminal in partnership with Rumo, with annual handling capacity of up to 12.5 million tonnes.

A further R$1.6 billion (approx. US$320 million) investment is expected to lift container handling capacity to 1.7 million TEUs by 2026 and 2.1 million TEUs by 2028.

DP World said these investments reinforce the infrastructure supporting the Brazil-Africa Link, connecting expanded Santos port operations with its African logistics network to create more resilient and dependable trade corridors between Brazil and fast-growing African markets.

One hub, endless West African possibilities. (Image source: Lagos Free Zone)

Lagos Free Zone has entered into a joint venture agreement with CEVA Logistics to strengthen integrated logistics capabilities in Nigeria and across the wider West African region

The agreement, recently formalised following approval from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, will see CEVA Logistics take a majority stake in the new entity.

The collaboration combines CEVA Logistics’ global expertise with Lagos Free Zone’s infrastructure and strategic positioning. It will establish the first warehouse in the zone operated by a global logistics provider, located within the free zone that hosts the Lekki Deep Sea Port. The facility is designed to support importers and multinational manufacturers seeking efficient access to regional markets.

Speaking on the strategic joint venture, the CEO and managing director, Lagos Free Zone, Adesuwa Ladoja said, “This partnership with CEVA Logistics underscores our commitment to creating a one-stop solution for manufacturing and trade businesses in Nigeria. By integrating Lekki Port, reliable industrial infrastructure, and efficient logistics solutions, we are building a logistics hub for West Africa. Collaborating with CEVA, a global leader in logistics, strengthens our ability to deliver on this vision.”

The development leverages Lekki Port’s modern infrastructure as a key gateway for goods entering West Africa. Businesses operating within the free zone benefit from duty-free export access to markets under the Economic Community of West African States, supporting more cost-effective and streamlined supply chains.

This advantage is further supported by the Lagos Free Zone Green Channel, a Nigeria Customs Service-approved corridor introduced in February 2026, which enables faster cargo movement between the port and the free zone, significantly reducing delays and associated costs while improving supply chain reliability.

In his remarks, the vice-President, Air and Ocean Product at CEVA IMEA, Jean-Baptiste Rambaud, stated, “We are proud to partner with Lagos Free Zone in this strategic venture. Our targeted investments in Nigeria reflect our commitment to providing uninterrupted logistics services to our global clients exporting to West Africa, including ECOWAS. This free zone warehouse is the final piece in creating a seamless logistics journey for goods and products from around the world to West Africa.”

He added that the partnership signals a new phase in logistics development for the region, supporting smoother trade flows into a fast-growing market. By combining global logistics capabilities with integrated local infrastructure, the joint venture is expected to enable businesses to focus on core operations while ensuring efficient movement of goods from international origins to destinations across West Africa.