The summit aims to advance a responsive trade and investment agenda.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre described the event as possible “state activity”.

Non-tariff barriers, weak border systems and poor infrastructure remain the real obstacles to Africa’s trade growth.

Various borders from South Africa into Zimbabwe and Botswana are beginning to bottleneck.

The new call will include a direct connection to Singapore with a 15-day transit and 27 days to Nansha.

Reforms will increase the volume of rail freight, reduce port congestion and improve economic performance.

Rail freight is gradually recovering, rising to 14.5% of total payload in August 2025, the TFI shows. 

Inclement weather is jeopardising the salvage operation of the vessel, which ran aground in February.  

Phase 1 represents an investment of US$40 million that will increase capacity.

Since May 2023, the line has added 102 vessels to its secondhand-vessel fleet.