In this issue

The Cover Story by Libin Chacko Kurian highlights the pivotal role of logistics in shaping Africa's competitiveness in the global market for flowers, perishables, and agricultural products, highlighting how strengthening the supply chain ecosystem can unlock strategic advantages for the continent.

We have a Special Feature by Rajarshi Chatterjee that puts the spotlight on the journey of women entrepreneurs in Kenya's floriculture industry.

Feature story Parijat Sourabh emphasises the role of women in the logistics sector in Africa and how women are breaking barriers and bringing fresh ideas and innovation to the table.

We also have an Industry Report written by Nehal Gautam that delves into the transformative journey of logistics in Africa, where despite substantial infrastructure limitations hindering its progress, the continent is emerging as an economic powerhouse.

Mauritius - A Future Hub For East & South Africa

Air Mauritius turned 50 in 2017, and is going strong in the troubled African aviation sector. As 2019 records a memorable year for the flag carrier of Mauritius, from adding new fleet to hosting the 51st AFRAA AGA, the airline is in a bid to position the country as a hub for Asia- Africa trade, Shalini Nair reports.

4 mins

History Is Playing It Differently For Africa

Drones are the future of African e-commerce, but not in the near future. E-commerce players want necessary regulations and economically viable technology ready, Libin Chacko Kurian reports.

5 mins

Spring In The Step For Africa's E-Logistics Startups

A steady flow of big-ticket investments is ensuring the wave of digitisation in Africa is more than a passing one. Logistics startups riding high on the back of technological support are building solutions to identify and bridge gaps in the supply chain. The challenges for these startups go beyond mere lack of infrastructure, and the inflow of capital is making sure their eyes are on the goal of making logistics accessible, Blessy Chettiar reports.

7 mins

Fedex Picks Or Tambo Airport For Its Maiden Cargo Flight In Africa

Setting its goal to boost air cargo volumes, OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg has welcomed FedEx to operate its dedicated cargo flight B777 weekly.

1 min

Closer Collaboration Better Infrastructure Smarter Technology - A Must For A Sustainable Future

Sustainability and need for collaboration dominated the narrative of the latest editions of the Flower & Perishable Logistics Africa conferences in Nairobi, Kenya. Speakers and attendees deliberated on importance of infrastructure development, exploring new markets, and looking beyond the traditional avenues.

7 mins

African Air Cargo Market Bucks Global Trend

Ongoing trade tensions between the US and China has taken a toll on global air cargo growth, but the only sector that has seen a silver lining during these troubled times is the perishable or special cargo space. It is no surprise then that the African air cargo market, which accounts for a majority of perishables exports, has been bucking the trend. The continent is also on the cusp of a digital transformation and is making major strides in infrastructural growth and liberalisation, which is set to take the African air freight sector to greater heights, Surya Kannoth reports.

4 mins

Top Global Megatrends Driving Sustainable Logistics

The logistics industry world over is going through rapid transformation that we have seen never before. Crystal Lassiter writes on top five global megatrends driving sustainable logistics.

3 mins

Time Is Ripe For APIs In Logistics Supply Chain

Adopting technologies like APIs has become crucial for supply chain management stakeholders to be able to offer quick quotes, compare rates, make bookings, track and deliver value to their customers, Blessy Chettiar reports.

4 mins

The Future Looks Bright, Exciting, Digital And Sustainable

Our world is constantly undergoing change. Take a look around – technology is transforming the way we live, do business, transact and interact. Just like any other industry, the logistics space is also facing a new era of unprecedented change as digitalisation and customer expectations evolve simultaneously. From connected warehouses to autonomous last-mile delivery services, new technologies are enabling efficiency optimisations and new operating models. And while the push towards digitalisation continues, what remains equally critical is the need to remain sustainable. By understanding how sustainability in logistics measures impact production and benefit companies, shippers and logistics players can work towards a better, sustainable tomorrow.

5 mins

Bringing Artificial Intelligence Into The Supply Chain Who And How?

Zuzanna Kosowska-Stamirowska writes how data acquisition and algorithm design need to be defined - or redefined - for the existing market players to make the AI revolution work.

5 mins

Awareness Can Help Reduce Wastage In Perishables

With 10 years left to achieve 'Target 12.3' laid down by the United Nations of halving the rate of food loss and waste by 2030, logistics service providers must do their bit to employ technology to reduce wastage in the handling of perishables not just for increased profitability, but also for the environment, Blessy Chettiar takes stock of how technology and regulation can help the cause.

5 mins

Countdown Begins For Air Cargo Africa 2017

The global air cargo community will come together at the most awaited trade event ‘Air Cargo Africa 2017’ in Johannesburg, South Africa to discuss ideas that will help the industry to deal with current challenges such as low yields and over capacity. The conference sessions will also bring to the fore variety of much discussed subjects such as e-commerce, technological innovations that will potentially transform the future of the industry. Alongside this, representatives from high yield shippers/exporters are also set to take centre stage at the Air Shippers’ Forum and Pharma Shippers’ Forum.

3 mins

Tapping Africa's Freight Potential

Swissport Tanzania has inaugurated its new import cargo facility at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam last year. The logistics specialist sees a lot of opportunities in Africa’s air freight sector amidst the ongoing economic slowdown. In conversation with Twinkle Sahita, MRISHO YASSIN, Chief Executive Officer, Swissport Tanzania, speaks about the latest developments of the company and its plans to exploit the potential air freight market in Africa. Edited Excerpts.

4 mins

Air Cargo Africa 2017​ Raises the Bar

The fourth edition of Air Cargo Africa brought together a record number of 80 exhibitors, 533 global industry decision makers as registered delegates and an impressive number of 3027 trade visitors from across 29 African countries and 32 countries from other continents.

9 mins

Collaboration Essential to Air Logistics of Flowers

Flowers can’t speak for themselves for being neglected. This is where every stakeholder in the air cargo supply chain, including the shipper, come in picture to ensure they are treated with tender care throughout the entire cold chain. Stakeholders must focus on collaboration to ensure smooth and efficient ride for flowers. Twinkle sahita reports.

5 mins

Project Cargo

Setting the blueprint for complex logistics operations in Africa.

5 mins

The Next Big Disruptor

Its tamper-proof design and unparalleled transparency enables decentralised, digital and trusted transaction. Blockchain is set to change the way the world does business and why blockchain will transform the logistics industry.

8 mins

Innovations Reboot Africa

Africa is like any other part of the world when it comes to technology. From web portals, mobile apps and to drones the continent offers a Mecca of opportunities for the technology companies. Interestingly, Africa adapts itself to this fast paced transformation and doubles itself as a conducive platform for testings, research and developments.

8 mins

Africa's Emerging Logistics Tech Landscape

The logistics industry has been witnessing exciting times, with development of some stirring technologies. While some of these are being adapted by many African countries, Africa is also pulling some heavy weight in the global race to develop technology solutions that are successfully catering to the natives.

8 mins

Africa Rebooted

When South Africa hosted the 2010 Football World Cup, a Tswanian phrase, Ke Nako (“It’s Time”), echoed across the world announcing that it’s time for Africa to be in the world’s spotlight.

1 min

Keep Delivering on Promises

The story and success of Emirates Airline is so intertwined with the incredible development and the envious growth of Dubai as a cosmopolitan city that keeps setting new global benchmarks in urban development and living. The airline has achieved phenomenal growth in the three decades that it has been in operation. Emirates maintained its rapid growth momentum despite geopolitical unrest in the region, volatile global economies and in a prolonged low oil price scenario. From what started off as a two wet-leased aircraft from Pakistan International Airlines in 1985 and flying to Karachi, New Delhi and Bombay, it’s been a phenomenal journey for Emirates in the last 31 years. The growth has been extraordinary even for the cargo operations of the airline.

6 mins

South Africa's Major Gateway Looks at Expansion

OR Tambo International Airport, one of the major international gateways in Johannesburg, South Africa, plans short and long term developments for the cargo division at the airport, keeping in mind the requirements of cargo and logistics stakeholders. It has also planned to transform the airport precinct into an airport city.

3 mins

Freight Sector Fastens Belt for Hyperloop

Flying cars and jetpacks could still take time to become a reality, but Hyperloop seems all set to revolutionize the transportation industry. The freight sector could be the first beneficiary of this super speed technology. 

4 mins

Remapping the Last Mile of the Urban Supply Chain

A new suite of data technologies offers unprecedented promise to crack the black box of effective deliveries in congested cities.

4 mins

Eyes Big Investments

Port of durban, being major South african port, aims to maintain its competitiveness with investments planned to enhance the existing terminals and build new terminals in the coming years as a part of Transnet Market demand Strategy (MDS).

3 mins

Big Data Big Opportunities

Africa may trail the US and Europe in terms of technology, but the gap is bridging fast. The continent has taken great strides in the technological and policy prerequisites necessary for big data impact.

3 mins

Plunging Oil Prices Africa Feels the Pinch

Although there is demand for oil and gas from markets in Africa, low crude prices combined with poor physical infrastructure, inadequate logistical solutions and burdening government regulations have blunted investment in oil and gas field development.

6 mins

On the Brink of Major Change

The world is eager to do business with Africa! This is amid growing recognition of the continent as the fastest growing economic hub that in turn translates into a plethora of opportunities for trade and commerce. But to achieve its full economic growth potential, Africa has to improve its infrastructure.

7 mins

Strategising for Growth

After 19 months of serving as the acting CEO at Dube Tradeport Corporation (DTPC), the board of the Durban-based company finally christened Hamish Erskine as its new chief executive officer. The appointment was confirmed after the support from the KwaZulu-Natal provincial cabinet.

4 mins

Unmasking The Fakes

Africa is the only continent where counterfeit medicines cause more deaths than non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardio-vascular diseases and respiratory diseases. Every year, more than 100,000 Africans lose their lives as they fall prey to counterfeit anti-malarials. The onus lies in the hands of logistical service providers, pharmaceutical companies and regulatory bodies to fight illegal supply chains of spurious drugs. 

7 mins

Read all stories from Logistics Update Africa

Logistics Update Africa Magazine Description:

Logistics Update Africa (LUA) is a bi-monthly magazine dedicated to logistics and transport industry of Africa. The magazine is rich in features highlighting Africa’s enormous potential. The various sectors carried are Road, Air, Rail and Shipping. LUA is Africa’s only logistics publication and caters to readers from all over the world.