Infrastructure bedevils Angola’s road transport market

KEVIN MAYHEW DESPITE IMPROVEMENTS to the logistics infrastructure of Angola, road transportation is still not generally a viable option into the West African country. Jet Park-based Makamba Clearing and Forwarding’s export/import manager, Krishna Padiachy, says the company only gets a call for road transport into the country from about 10% of clients - the majority asking for sea and air options. “Most of the roads are terrible and there is also a seasonal element making them unattractive when the rains come. One is left with sea and air to move cargo into the country,” she told FTW. At present the company is moving cargo related to the diamond mining and oil industries, construction and machinery and material for establishing landfills - much of it by air despite the nature of the load. Established just two years ago, Makamba moved to larger premises recently. Much of its growth has been on the back of the emerging Angolan market. However, its over-border road operations include all the southern African countries.