Groupage operator specialises in

Ten months since its launch, Afrilog Groupage Services is finding strong support for its specialist West Africa service. “We realised it was a bold move starting a new venture in the midst of a global recession, but the economy was already turning and it seemed like the right thing to do,” says business development manager Simon Busang. The company specialises in concessions to West Africa, a market traditionally serviced by Europe. “South African companies traditionally favour business with East Africa and the SADC countries. We identified a market opportunity in West Africa and have consciously marketed to clearing and freight forwarding companies who want to move cargo to this region of Africa,” says Busang. “West Africa poses several challenges of which the first is no doubt the fact that the area has been dogged by political instability. Also it has always been serviced by Europe, which is closer than southern Africa, and also there is less of a language barrier as most of the countries are French speaking.” This was no deterrent. “We now have a range of offices throughout West Africa and are able to manage the process of transporting cargo in and out of the region.” Packing in Durban and Johannesburg, Afrilog Groupage Service is especially targeting cargo from the Far East and India en route to West Africa. “We can offer better rates and transit times for cargo from these regions than if it were routed through Europe.” Busang believes the recession definitely impacted on trade partners and West Africa, like the rest of the continent, is realising the importance of doing business with its neighbours. “For a long time there has been a perception that if something is manufactured in Africa it is of a lesser quality but that is changing and more trade is taking place between African countries.”