Growth, growth and
more growth. That
is the forecast for
Africa in 2015,
according to Dave Everett,
Africa key account manager for
Safmarine.
“In 2014 we experienced
significant growth in imports
to the Ivory Coast, Mauritius,
the DRC as well as to big parts
of East Africa,” he told FTW.
“Similarly exports from Central
West Africa, the Horn of Africa,
the Ivory Coast and the DRC
have been up.”
Most of
the growth
is thanks to
the continued
interest in
Africa from the
likes of China
and India.
The need for
exporters to
diversify their
markets has
also had significant impact.
“South African apples and pears
to Nigeria for example have
seen tremendous growth in the
past few years – so much so that
we have changed services to
accommodate this expanding
trade,” he said. “We are seeing
an increased need for reefer
capacity into these markets as
perishable exporters move away
from traditional markets and
focus on Africa.”
Everett said due to this
increased growth there
was a real focus from the
company on providing its
customers with more insight
and understanding of the
African market.
“The goldrush that is
Africa has never been bigger
than what it is now,” said
Everett. “The
understanding
of the
continent is
not necessarily
always there
and so we
are working
hard towards
ensuring that
customers
at origin are
getting to
grips with the developments
and the requirements of doing
business in Africa.”
With seven of the fastest
growing economies in the world
in Africa and its fast-growing
consumer population in need of
goods, the potential for growth
for shipping lines is undoubtedly
set to continue.
“We forecast similar growth for
the next year,” said Everett.
This as a number of automotive
manufacturers look at increasing
the import of vehicles (mostly
in the semi knockdown sector)
and investing in manufacturing
plants across Africa.
“Countries that are being
earmarked for these imports
include Angola, Nigeria, Kenya
and Tanzania,” he said. “At
the same time the East Africa
highway serving Uganda and
South Sudan is seeing some
development – with a single
customs clearance in Mombasa
which is very positive.”
According to Everett
commodity exports out of the
hinterland are also on the rise.
“There is an increased focus on
getting the necessary services
in place to ensure this cargo
flows efficiently to the ports to
facilitate easier export. A lot is
being done to upgrade road and
rail links.”
INSERT & CAPTION
Perishable exporters
are moving away from
traditional markets to focus
on Africa.
– Dave Everett
