Transporters should gear up for Africa growth

South African transporters
need to be geared and ready
if they want to capitalise
on the many business
opportunities presenting
themselves as Africa
becomes the world focus for
investment.
According to Hannes
Rust of Namgola, the many
projects already under way,
along with those in the
pipeline, present numerous
opportunities for African
transporters.
“There is so much
development and investment
happening at present in
various countries. We in
South Africa have the skill,
knowledge and experience
to transport the huge
amount of freight needed
to the various countries,
but we must be able to
overcome the numerous
challenges.”
Be it congestion or
corruption at border posts,
the lack of roads and
communication in some
countries or the huge
security risk faced in others,
transporters now more than
ever will have to be able to
deliver what they promise.
Says Ruan van der
Westhuizen of Namgola:
“In Mozambique, for
example, there is so much
development at present.
From coal projects to power
stations to upgrading the
road infrastructure and
networks. Africa is a drawcard
and South Africa is the
gateway.”
In Rwanda investment
inflows are expected to
exceed US$600 million this
year, while Mozambique
expects to invest
$350 million to build
500 kilometres of road
in the next few months.
Chinese trade with Africa
alone is to exceed $110bn
and Africa is making the
effort to be able to improve
its trade by addressing
its infrastructure and
communication backlogs.
“Volumes will increase in
2011 and beyond,” predicts
Rust. “Africa is the place
to be. Nearly every country
has work going on and yes
there are challenges, but
the opportunities are far
greater.”