The African transport and logistics sector, driven by technology and innovation, is positioning itself as the key to bringing countries together and supporting their economies. The sector has raised US$200 million (R3.2 billion) in the last year and in South Africa, the sector’s contribution is expected to grow by 1.8 percent per annum.

According to the World Bank, trade between African countries represents only 12 percent of economic activity in the region compared with 60 percent in Europe and 40 percent in Asia. This presents an unprecedented potential for investment in transport and logistics across the continent.  

Transport Evolution Africa Forum and Expo bring ports, rail, and road together in a collaborative and solutions-based event that will plot the roadmap to the future of the sector in Africa. “We have seven events under one roof, with over 50 port, rail, and road authorities, 3,500 transport professionals, and 100 exhibitors tackling transport and logistics issues head-on and showcasing global innovations, as well as providing the platform for African transport corridor updates. This coming year, we are excited to launch the African Transport Performance Scorecard (ATEPS), which will be a comprehensive annual progress measurement report,” says Le-Ann Hare, Portfolio Director for Transport Evolution at dmg events, organisers of the forum and expo.

Other highlights for 2022 include the launch of Trade and Logistics Evolution Africa, the Women in Transport Awards, and the Transport Evolution Learning Academy. A key addition is a gathering of CEOs across the transport and logistics sector within the Transport CEO Forum, where closer working relationships will be forged between all entities with a view to building robust transport corridors into Africa.

“A co-located event with the Transport Africa Forum and Expo is The Big 5 Construct KZN, which will facilitate dialogue around infrastructure at the core of restimulating the South African economy. The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) has alone committed R19 billion to develop 13 roads, creating nearly 10,000 jobs during construction,” says Hare.

The South African government has committed R791.2 billion toward infrastructure development in the medium term and has gazetted 15 projects worth R47 billion in the transport sector alone.

As momentum builds in transport and logistics across Africa post-COVID-19, the GDP contribution of the sector is expected to grow from R349 billion in the first quarter of 2022 to R363 billion by 2024, an increase of 3.7 percent, underlining the investment potential over the next two years.

Register for the Transport Evolution Africa Forum and Expo at www.transportevolution.com. •