The outlook for 2012 is extremely positive for the African continent, according to Warren Erfmann of Swift Freight. “Africa is the future as it is extremely rich in resources and therefore opportunities,” he told FTW. “We just need to be careful how we ‘mine’ these opportunities as it is important that Africa develops as a continent and is not just pilfered by companies and people wanting to make a quick buck at the expense of everything and anything.” Having seen 15 consecutive years of economic growth, with GDP growth averaging around 5.2% while the rest of the world averaged just under 4%, the outlook can be nothing but positive. “Africa has 95% of the world’s platinum group metals, 90% of the world’s chromite ore, 85% of phosphate rock, 40% of bauxite reserves, 10% of the world’s crude oil and 8% of natural gas reserves – it can only be positive as we move forward.” According to Erfmann the development of Africa is strongly reliant on education and not just infrastructure. “If one has an educated continent, the rest will follow,” he said. With Swift Freight actively involved in the mining sector, Erfmann said they were looking at growing the business in new territories in the coming months in efforts to build a sustainably profitable global company.
