Page 22 - LUA March-April 2025

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Multimodal transport in Africa
INTEGRATING ROAD,

RAIL, AIR, AND SEA

Africa is a vast and diverse continent, home to 54 countries, over and expanded terminals to meet growing
3,000 languages, and a burgeoning economy. As the continent demand. However, high operational costs,
limited intra-African connectivity, and
continues to grow and develop, its transportation networks are fragmented regulations continue to hinder
playing an increasingly vital role in facilitating trade, economic the sector’s growth.
growth, and connectivity. Multimodal transport, which integrates MULTIMODAL TRANSPORT
road, rail, air, and sea transport, is at the forefront of this AND TRADE CORRIDORS
transformation, reports Nikitha Sebastian. Efforts to integrate Africa’s transport
networks focus on key trade corridors.
frica's multimodal transport congestion and lowering logistics costs. The Northern Corridor, linking Mombasa
network is witnessing a significant Projects like Kenya’s Mombasa-Nairobi to Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic
transformation, with a surge in Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and Republic of Congo, has improved freight
Ainnovative solutions, driven by Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway movement with the SGR. The Walvis Bay
investments in infrastructure, technology, have improved freight movement, cutting Corridor, connecting Namibia to Zambia
and regional integration initiatives, aligning transit times and strengthening port- and Botswana, enhances Southern Africa’s
with a global trend. to-hinterland connectivity. However, trade efficiency. In West Africa, the
inconsistent rail gauge standards and Abidjan-Lagos Corridor serves as a major
INTEGRATING ROAD, RAIL, inadequate maintenance, as seen in Nigeria, trade artery, linking five West African
AIR, AND SEA TRANSPORT pose significant challenges. countries: Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo,
Road transport is the backbone of logistics “When we talk about the rail Benin, and Nigeria.
in Africa, handling over 80% of cargo infrastructure in Africa today, we are Differences in vehicle weight limits,
and passenger movement. However, poor facing some operational constraints with cargo handling regulations, and rail
road infrastructure, particularly in rural some congestion and lack of equipment gauge standards complicate cross-border
and landlocked regions, increases costs that they cannot cover the markets,” logistics, making seamless multimodal
and delays. Many roads remain unpaved remarked Trefault. connectivity difficult. Border delays and
or poorly maintained, limiting trade and Ports handle over 90% of Africa’s trade customs red tape remain a
disrupting supply chains. The Trans- but suffer from inefficiencies such as major obstacle to efficient trade in
African Highway (TAH) network aims to congestion, slow customs clearance, and
enhance regional connectivity but remains outdated infrastructure. Major ports like
incomplete, hindering seamless multimodal Durban, Mombasa, Lagos, and Tangier-
transport integration. Med face capacity constraints, leading to
Caroline Trefault, Intermodal delays. New port developments, including
Specialist—Africa at MSC, highlighted Lamu (Kenya) and Ndayane (Senegal), aim
a key challenge in Africa’s transport to alleviate congestion, while modernisation
infrastructure during an interview with projects introduce automation and
STAT Media Group at Air Cargo Africa expanded container-handling facilities to
2025 in Nairobi. “Road-wise, there is improve efficiency.
a big improvement on the highway. Air transport, though a smaller part
However, most of the time, these of Africa’s logistics network, is vital for
highways do not connect to the border high-value, perishable, and time-sensitive
country. As a result, we always face the goods. Ethiopian Airlines leads the air
issue that the roads are not always easily cargo sector, connecting key markets
accessible,” she explained. globally. Airports like Jomo Kenyatta
Railways offer a cost-effective solution (Kenya) and OR Tambo (South Africa)
for bulk cargo transport, reducing road are investing in cold storage, automation,

20 LUA MARCH - APRIL 2025