This issue of LUA puts the focus on e-commerce activities in the continent and the Cover Story by Lakshmi asks the question, aided by the entry and consolidation of big retail players, a large number of informal retailers in Africa coming online, digital payments, investments, and more purchasing power, will e-commerce logistics in Africa rise to the challenge and unlock the growth potential that has the world and investors taking note?

In her industry report, Zinal Dedhia outlines how Africa’s air cargo industry is getting ready for change. The sector is confronting several challenges that include rising fuel price and poor connectivity. “But given the enormity of opportunities the continent is primed for growth,” she writes.

The Report by Roy Ezze hopes for a harmonised economic regulation in African air cargo and tries to find out how will AFCAC’s build-up of states’ economic regulation capacity affect the sector.

We also have a Special Report by Lakshmi Ajay that talks about digital transformation and sustainability as the two megatrends of 2021. “However, it was the efficiency and reliability of digital processes and innovations, where human error is reduced and which presented great cost savings and risk reduction for businesses worldwide that seemed to have caught on when it comes to the air cargo sector,” as she puts it.

Roy Ezze also has a Country Report that finds out the worries of cargo experts over challenges to Nigeria’s export, as the African Continental Free Trade Area progresses.