A new report exploring southern Africa’s logistics sector suggests that supply chain investments and improved infrastructure could boost intra-regional trade by as much as 50% over the coming five years
As trade corridors expand and the demand for sustainable supply chain solutions grows, the report, by Reload Logistics, points to a promising future for the region, with trade also surging on the back of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA).
The report — Unlocking Southern Africa’s Trade Potential in 2025 and Beyond — projects that by 2030, the ACFTA will boost intra-African trade by over 50%, creating new commodity flows while regional infrastructure investments address network gaps.
It also sheds light on the transformative trends shaping infrastructure, trade integration and digital innovation that are driving southern Africa’s logistics landscape.
Satellite tracking, for example, has reduced cargo theft by 40% along high-risk mining corridors by identifying unauthorised stops and route deviation.
Similarly, port congestion algorithms are assisting bulk carriers in predicting optimal loading windows, reducing demurrage costs at major ports and terminals across southern Africa by up to 20%.
Key insights from the report include:
Critical minerals driving growth: Southern Africa provides around 30% of the world’s critical minerals for electric vehicles, including cobalt and copper, contributing to the transition towards cleaner energy.
Strategic infrastructure investments: The Kasomeno-Mwenda Road Project is removing over 300 km from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Tanzania routes, while the Dar es Salaam Maritime Gateway Project plans to double port capacity to 30 million tons by 2030.
Technological transformation: Technological logistics solutions have improved route optimisation by up to 15%.
Sustainability imperatives: By 2030, demand for green logistics could reach approximately US$350bn globally, with exporters increasingly adopting lower-carbon transport options.
Transformative trade corridors: Port developments at Dar es Salaam, Durban, Walvis Bay and Beira are enhancing efficiencies and opening cross-border opportunities.
“Southern Africa’s logistics sector is at a pivotal turning point, shaped by rising trade activity, major infrastructure investments and the growing demand for efficiency,” the report noted.
“With the region’s economy expected to grow by 4.2% in the coming years — driven by commodity exports and transport network improvements — producers, traders and manufacturers must adapt to an increasingly dynamic and interconnected environment.”
Read more:
Siemens unveils intelligent automation for intralogistics
Afreximbank to boost Kenya's logistics sector
Logistics sector to drive intra-regional trading surge
Cargo ships in Durban South Africa
