‘Huge opportunities if you do your homework’

There are “huge opportunities” in West Africa for South African companies, “but they must do their homework first,” says Warren Erfmann, group chief executive officer of Swift Freight International. He sees the opportunities in medical, mining, telecommunications and retail industries in particular, spheres in which he believes South Africa is very strong. Swift Freight has seen growth in volumes of mining and telecommunications equipment, medical and pharmaceutical goods, electronic items and foodstuffs. With the growth in volumes, Swift Freight has introduced sea-air services via Dubai into the region in order to overcome the congestion in the harbours along the coast. “Growth is starting to come more and more from airfreight activities,” he says. ‘Homework’ for companies wanting to export into the region includes identifying and working through a “lot of red tape and tedious procedures which sometimes really don’t make sense. But, if you are unaware of them – or choose to ignore them – you will never break into this market. “Speak to the specialists.” Specialist services offered by Swift include procuring the many documents required for imports, such as duty exemption letters and food and drug certificates. “It is a complex issue that requires us to hold the hands of our customers throughout the process,” he says. “Delivering on time and ensuring the safety of cargo are always challenges when dealing with Africa,” he adds. Swift Freight has been in Africa for 23 years and has 22 offices across the continent. Services it provides include airfreight, sea freight, doorto- door delivery, customs clearance, warehousing and distribution, and project logistics. In West Africa, it is represented in Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo. “Togo is used for hinterland destinations such as Niger and Burkina Faso,” he says.