Logistics and transport infrastructure face bottlenecks in Central and Southern Africa

Logistics and transport infrastructure remain critical bottlenecks for economic activity in Central and Southern Africa. In the Copperbelt region, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia face significant challenges in transporting copper to maritime ports in Angola, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, and Mozambique.

According to World Bank analysis, road transport accounts for over 80% of copper exports from the DRC and Zambia. In 2023, approximately 1.8 million tonnes were moved by truck, compared to only 415,000 tonnes by rail. This heavy reliance on road networks is driven by weak railway infrastructure and the lack of direct rail connections at many mining sites.

In the Republic of the Congo, the logistics sector is increasingly turning to mobile application-based fleet tracking to mitigate costs associated with road transport. These digital tools provide real-time GPS geolocation, maintenance alerts, and driving behavior reports, helping transporters manage delays, improve security on isolated routes, and reduce operational uncertainties.