Africa

Strategy & Planning

Southern Africa Citrus Exports Cut 5.5% for 2026 Season

Southern Africa’s citrus export forecast has been cut by 5.5% for the 2026 season, dropping from 209.4 million to 197.9 million 15kg cartons — a loss of 11.5 million cartons. The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa cited Middle East conflict (shutting off 20% of normal export markets), port delays, rising shipping costs, and severe weather — including flooding in the Western and Eastern Cape and heavy rainfall in Limpopo and Mpumalanga — as key drivers. Though production remains on a long-term growth path, the CGA stressed heightened responsibility for managing market access, logistics, and biosecurity risks.

2026-09-01

Disruptions

Dry Bulk Owners Face Grain Cargo Shortage Amid Black Sea Disruption

Dry bulk owners face mounting strain as grain cargo volumes collapse amid Black Sea conflict and Strait of Hormuz closures. Wheat exports from Ukraine and Russia fell from 6.3 million tonnes in August 2025 to an expected 2.5 million tonnes this month. Up to 150 bulk carriers remain trapped in the Gulf, while fertiliser flows — critical for African harvests — have halted. With 25% of global fertiliser and 40% of urea trade passing through the Strait of Hormuz, food security risks are intensifying globally.

2026-08-30

ESG & Regulation

ICTSI acquires 100% of African port operator TLG

International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has agreed to acquire 100% of TLG Acquisition Holdings Proprietary Ltd., a port and cargo operator serving Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa. The deal follows ICTSI’s December 2025 agreement to operate Durban Container Terminal Pier 2 under a 25-year joint venture with Transnet SOC Ltd. In H1, ICTSI posted $641.39 million net income — up 22% — on $1.92 billion port revenue, a 27% increase. TLG’s owners include AIIM (74%) and Mokobela Shataki (26%). ICTSI operates 30 terminals across 19 countries.

2026-08-29

Supply Chain

Asia-West Africa container capacity up 30% amid port strain

Container shipping capacity between Asia and West Africa rose almost 30% year-on-year to 1.4 million TEUs across 185 vessels as of 1 July 2026 — following a 40% jump the prior year. Ports like Durban face 80-hour average anchorage delays, while Maersk expanded services to Tema, Abidjan, Lekki, Kribi, and Pointe Noire in Q2 2026. DHL Global Forwarding reports China-Africa as its fastest-growing trade, and DP World plans a logistics hub near Mombasa. South Africa also signed a 200,000-ton soybean export deal with China on 7 August 2026.

2026-08-09

Africa Supply Chain

Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd resume Red Sea route amid capacity relief

A.P. Moller-Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd announced on July 6, 2026, they are resuming Red Sea and Suez Canal transit for select Asia–Europe services — the first major carrier alliance to do so since late 2023. The move follows security reassessments and aims to alleviate vessel capacity constraints that drove spot rates up 37% in recent weeks. Maersk shares fell 9%, Hapag-Lloyd dropped 4.6%, reflecting market expectations of rate normalization. The Majestic Maersk, currently near Oman, will be the first redirected vessel. The Cape of Good Hope detour added ~14–18 days and $250,000–$350,000 in fuel costs per round trip.

2026-07-31

Geopolitics

South Africa’s Freight Rail Reforms Lag, 168M Tons Below 200M Target

South Africa’s freight rail reforms—launched in 2020—remain slow despite mounting pressure to bolster regional trade. In 2025, rail volumes reached 168 million tons, still short of the 200 million ton target. Gulf markets supplied 60% of South Africa’s petroleum imports and accounted for $11.6 billion (11%) of total imports. Contracts with 11 private rail operators aim to add 24 million tons of capacity, yet aging infrastructure and 80% road dependency constrain progress. Kumba Iron Ore has reconfigured production to match Transnet’s limits, while experts warn delays weaken South Africa’s role as an Africa–Middle East trade gateway.

2026-07-31

Africa Supply Chain

DP World pledges $4B Africa expansion amid 75% fuel cost surge

DP World reaffirms its $4 billion investment pledge in African port and logistics infrastructure despite a 75% fuel price surge in South Africa and disruptions caused by the Strait of Hormuz closure. CEO Mohammed Akoojee confirmed ongoing projects including Maputo Port expansion and the DRC’s first deep-water port, due in Q1 next year. The company operates 7,000+ trucks across Africa and is shifting toward integrated logistics ecosystems linking Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, and Congo.

2026-07-30

ESG & Regulation

South Africa’s port reform unlocks R11.1bn as power reforms stall

South Africa’s reform trajectory is bifurcated: administrative upgrades like e-visas and the Trusted Employer Scheme are improving business efficiency, while electricity and rail logistics reforms stall. Key delays include the postponed wheeling framework (now set for September 2026), Eskom’s R2bn debt to IPPs, and the non-operational Transport Economic Regulator. In contrast, Durban Gateway Terminal’s financial close unlocked R11.1bn in investment, signaling strong private interest in ports. Analysts stress that without grid and rail unbundling, industrial expansion and job creation remain capped.

2026-07-30

Africa Supply Chain

Global Hunger Falls to 645M in 2025 Amid Conflict Risks

Global hunger fell to 645 million people (7.8% of the world population) in 2025, marking the third straight annual decline since pandemic-driven spikes. Yet conflicts — especially in the Middle East — and climate shocks threaten reversal, with the UN World Food Programme warning that 45 million more could face acute food insecurity if the Iran war continues and oil exceeds $100/barrel. Africa remains the epicenter: one in five people there were undernourished in 2025, and the UN projects 56% of the world’s hungry will live there by 2030. Supply chain professionals must now integrate humanitarian risk data into logistics planning, particularly across Red Sea and Suez Canal corridors.

2026-07-29

Geopolitics

China launches zero-tariff policy for 53 African nations

China’s unilateral zero-tariff policy for 53 African nations took effect on 1 May 2026, offering duty-free access for two years to 20 non-least developed countries including Namibia. The policy reshapes supply chains by embedding digital infrastructure — from electronic CIQ certification to Douyin-driven consumer trust — as core trade enablers. A 24-ton South African apple shipment cleared duty-free at Shenzhen on launch day, validating implementation. For Namibian SMEs, success hinges on Mandarin-language digital narratives, QR traceability, and participation in Hainan’s 10,000-yuan annual tax exemption zone. Scholars warn that tariff relief alone risks dependency without parallel investment in digital literacy and value-added processing.

2026-07-29

Africa Supply Chain

Fincart raises $2.8M to scale AI e-commerce OS in North Africa

Cairo-based Fincart has raised $2.8 million in seed funding to scale its AI-powered e-commerce operating system across North Africa and the Middle East. Founded by alumni of Careem, Glovo, Vodafone, and Delivery Hero, the platform integrates shipping, revenue-based financing, and customer retention tools. It serves over 450 merchants, processes goods valued above E£1 billion ($20 million), and relies entirely on organic growth — with 40% of new users arriving via referral and zero marketing spend over three years.

2026-07-28

North America Supply Chain

Digital Product Passports Boost African Trade, ESG Compliance

Digital product passports (DPPs) offer African exporters a strategic tool to meet EU ESPR requirements effective 2026, while simultaneously strengthening AfCFTA implementation, cutting regional trade delays by up to 30%, and enabling product-level ESG transparency. Pilots in South Africa’s wool, Kenya’s horticulture, and Ghana’s cocoa sectors show 18–22% gains in buyer trust and contract renewal. Experts project $4.2 billion in annual intra-African export growth by 2030 if DPPs scale across textiles, agro-processing, and battery minerals.

2026-07-28