Zimbabwe could spark parallel logistics boom

Freight and logistics companies based in Mozambique are keeping a close watch on developments in neighbouring Zimbabwe, the economy of which seems to have reached rock bottom. The rebuilding and reindustrialisation of Zimbabwe would create a parallel logistics boom to the LNG projects – so much so that the existing infrastructure and resources would be put under huge strain. Even without an economic revival of sorts, there is increasing demand for food, aid and consumer goods. The country is still in the grips of a drought – a factor acknowledged by Gene Leon, who led an International Monetary Fund review of Zimbabwe in September this year. Despite the challenges, Zimbabwe’s economy grew by an estimated 3.5% thanks mainly to cotton and tobacco exports, according to the African Development Bank. As many logistics companies in Mozambique confirmed, freight is still moving in and out of the neighbour – and the pent-up potential is huge.