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Africa, with slow clearance processes air. By promoting investment in transport
and corruption causing significant infrastructure, AfCFTA helps reduce high
bottlenecks. In some regions, cargo logistics costs that have long hindered
clearance can take several days due to intra-African trade. The agreement
excessive paperwork. While countries encourages regional cooperation in
like Rwanda and Kenya have introduced upgrading roads, railways, and ports,
digital customs systems to streamline ensuring better connectivity
operations, implementation across the for landlocked nations reliant on
continent remains uneven, limiting the multimodal transport.
full potential of multimodal transport. The AfCFTA is Nabil Sultan, then Divisional Senior
African governments and investors are expected to increase Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo, had
prioritising key infrastructure projects to intra-African trade stated in an interview with Reji John,
improve multimodal transport networks. Editor, STAT Media Group at Air Cargo
Projects include the Kenya-Uganda by over 50 percent, India 2024, “The dynamic of multimodal
SGR extension, Tangier-Med port, and creating the world's is absolutely changing. We're probably
upgrades to cargo facilities at Addis largest free trade going to see a lot of different multimodal
Ababa and Lagos airports. Deep-water transportation happening for goods
ports, such as Berbera and Lekki, are also area, covering 1.3 across the globe.”
being developed. billion people across Africa’s ambition to create an
Financing remains a critical 54 countries with integrated multimodal transport system
challenge, with governments leveraging requires urgent action in several areas.
public-private partnerships (PPPs) a combined GDP of The need for policy harmonisation
and foreign direct investment (FDI) to USD 3.4 trillion. across regions to streamline cross-
fund large-scale projects. Multilateral border trade regulations is evident.
AMADOU DIALLO
institutions, such as the African DHL GLOBAL FORWARDING Investing in digital customs systems
Development Bank, provide essential and logistics tracking technology
funding. Some governments are issuing will also reduce delays and enhance
infrastructure bonds to raise domestic Amadou Diallo, Chief Executive efficiency. Furthermore, capacity-
capital. Strengthening domestic financing Officer, DHL Global Forwarding, Middle building initiatives for transport and
mechanisms is crucial for sustainable East and Africa, stated, “The AfCFTA is logistics professionals will help improve
transport infrastructure development. expected to increase intra-African trade operational efficiency.
These investments are expected to improve by over 50 percent, creating the world's Africa’s multimodal transport system
Africa's multimodal transport network and largest free trade area, covering 1.3 is at a crossroads. While significant
enhance regional connectivity. billion people across 54 countries with a investments have been made, persistent
The African Continental Free Trade combined GDP of USD 3.4 trillion.” challenges must be addressed to unlock
Area (AfCFTA) plays a crucial role in A well-functioning multimodal the continent’s trade potential. To propel
advancing multimodal logistics across logistics network is essential for Africa's growth and competitiveness, it's
Africa by facilitating seamless trade and AfCFTA’s success, enabling efficient imperative to address these obstacles and
transport integration. transportation across road, rail, sea, and revolutionise the transport network.

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