Contra Consolidations is expanding its African footprint, recently establishing offices in Ghana and Mauritius. According to COO Bronwyn Cuthbert, the continent presents significant opportunities for the company, which, as a neutral consolidator, provides a comprehensive sea and road freight portfolio.“We offer multiple routing and modality options for tailored solutions across Africa,” Cuthbert stated. “We have recently increased the frequency of our sea freight service to East and West Africa, as well as enhanced our direct service offerings from Durban to Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.”She said infrastructure, security concerns and regulatory hurdles were notable challenges, with foreign currency constraints adding further complexity. “Documentary requirements for various African destinations, ongoing border delays into sub-Saharan Africa, and limited digital capability also impact the speed and efficiency of service delivery into the continent. However, these obstacles also present valuable opportunities within the industry to innovate and develop effective solutions. Collaborating with industry experts and African logistics specialists is key to navigating these challenges and crafting solutions that meet the unique demands of African log istics.”According to Cuthbert, port expansion projects are under way across various African countries — a move welcomed by the logistics industry. “These expansions are essential for increasing capacity and productivity and for reducing congestion. Equally important are initiatives focused on enhancing road and rail infrastructure, connectivity, and accessibility to ensure optimal service delivery across the continent.”She said that ongoing development at key transhipment hubs like Walvis Bay and Beira was also expanding logistics solutions into Africa. Asked about trends, Cuthbert noted that foreign investment in African infrastructure was on the rise, with a focus on expanding ports, road and rail networks, along with an emphasis on risk management to address security challenges. She also highlighted the growth of the cold chain logistics sector, driven by increased demand from the pharmaceutical and food industries.“These trends show how Africa’s logistics sector is adapting to meet the demands of a more connected, efficient, and sustainable future.”Cuthbert highlighted the opportunities available through public-private partnerships (PPPs), particularly for infrastructure projects such as port expansions, logistics parks and transportation hubs, noting their importance to the industry. “Specialised logistics services in sectors like mining, healthcare, and chemicals offer promising potential for niche providers,” she said.According to Cuthbert, expanding direct sea freight services into Africa is crucial, with landlocked countries benefiting from improved services driven by infrastructure development initiatives. “The recent impact on Red Sea routes from Europe into Africa, due to the ongoing conf lict and heightened security risks, has once again elevated Africa’s status as a transhipment hub for several Far Eastern regions.” LV
