Many African government leaders do not understand the value that ports and logistics chains bring to a country’s economy, according to Courage Mlambo, a lecturer and postdoctoral researcher in the department of economics, faculty of management sciences, at Mangosuthu University of Te c h n olo g y.His findings are shared in a paper titled “The Impact of Port Performance on Trade: The Case of Selected African States,” published online by Swiss-based MDPI.“The success of Africa’s ports and transport logistic chains is critical to Africa’s transformation of economic potential to growth,” he writes.“The transportation system is a vital factor in terms of economic growth as well as having a major inf luence on Africa’s integration into the global market.“This has not been acknowledged by several governments; they have failed to recognise ports as vital facilitators of international trade.“Africa must change its understanding of the part ports can play,” he argues.Mlambo says African governments must invest heavily in port infrastructure, in order for exporters and importers to be globally competitive.“Africa needs to pursue an intensive course of infrastructure development to maintain economic growth and improve port efficiency and trade competitiveness.“At the moment, African ports are inefficient, and there is congestion partly because the ports cannot accommodate further expansion without serious investment.“Investment in infrastructure will ensure the accommodation of vessel arrivals/departures and safe and efficient loading/unloading.”Back-of-port infrastructure is as important, he writes.“It should also be noted that Africa must not only invest in port infrastructure but also in shoreside infrastructure and intermodal connections that serve ports.“In other words, consideration should also be given to highway or rail infrastructure that develops or extends intermodal connectivity and intermodal facilities.“Africa’s transport logistic chains make African countries less efficient than they should be.“Africa still makes up just a small percentage of global trade, with problems continuing at its ports – from capability issues to inefficient handling time, poor security and, in some places, corruption,” he writes.
